45 Flowers That Attract Bees and Other Pollinators

Do you want to grow a garden that’s full of life, where bees are buzzing, butterflies are fluttering, and blooms are thriving? One of the simplest (and most rewarding) ways to plan your flower garden is by choosing plants that attract pollinators.

Not only will your garden look beautiful, but you’ll also be doing your part to support the environment, and your plants will thank you for it.

Pollinators play such a big role in keeping gardens healthy. They help boost veggie harvests, keep flowers blooming longer, and bring a whole new energy to your outdoor space. And the best part? You don’t need to do anything complicated, just grow the right plants and let nature do the rest.

Whether you’re just starting out or adding to your existing beds, I’ve pulled together a list of some of the best flowers and herbs to invite bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators into your garden.

Let’s get to the list, and then I’ll share tips for growing each one, plus why all of this matters more than ever.

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List of Flowers & Herbs That Attract Bees

1. Allium (Allium spp.)
2. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
3. Asters (Aster spp.)
4. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
5. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
7. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)
8. Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
9. Borage (Borago officinalis)
10. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
11. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
12. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
13. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
14. Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
15. Currant (Ribes spp.)
16. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
17. French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
18. Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena spp.)
19. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
20. Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
21. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
22. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
23. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
24. Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum)
25. Lantana (Lantana spp.)
26. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
27. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
28. Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
29. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
30. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
31. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
32. Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)
33. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
34. Phlox (Phlox spp.)
35. Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
36. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
37. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
38. Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
39. Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)
40. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
41. Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
42. Veronica (Veronica spp.)
43. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
44. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
45. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

Now, let’s learn more about my favorite plants growing in my garden…

My Favorite Plants That Attract Pollinators

Pollinators are drawn to a wide variety of plants, but some are true garden standouts. Below, I’ve broken this list into categories, starting with hardworking perennials that come back year after year to keep the bees buzzing.

Perennials That Attract Bees

Allium (Allium spp.)

Alliums have striking globe-shaped blooms that are not only beautiful but also a favorite stop for bees and other pollinators. They come in a range of heights and shades of purple, pink, and white, adding structure and whimsy to your garden beds.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate; prefers well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Bonus tip: Plant bulbs in the fall for an easy burst of early-season blooms. Leave seed heads standing for architectural interest and to feed birds.

Asters (Aster spp.)

Asters bloom late in the season, just when bees need them most. Their daisy-like flowers are perfect for adding fall color to your garden.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Bonus tip: Great for naturalizing along borders or cottage garden edges.

Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

Bee balm is known for its firework-shaped flowers and minty fragrance, which attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Bonus tip: Try varieties like ‘Jacob Cline’ or ‘Pardon My Purple’ for bold color.

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

A classic in any pollinator garden, black-eyed Susans provide long-lasting golden blooms and nectar that bees love.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Bonus tip: Leave the seed heads up for birds and natural reseeding through winter.

Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

Blazing star lives up to its name with tall, spiky purple blooms that open from the top down, a detail bees and butterflies find irresistible. It’s especially popular with monarchs during migration season.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low once established; prefers well-drained soil
Bloom time: Midsummer to early fall
Bonus tip: Plant in clusters for a bigger visual impact and more pollinator appeal. The blooms also make excellent cut flowers for summer arrangements.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

With its delicate, nodding flowers and unique spurred petals, columbine adds a whimsical touch to spring gardens—and pollinators love it. Bees, hummingbirds, and even butterflies are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
Bloom time: Spring to early summer
Bonus tip: Let some flowers go to seed. Columbine will happily self-sow in the right spot, creating natural-looking drifts year after year.

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

This low-maintenance perennial is a pollinator favorite. Its large daisy-shaped blooms provide nectar for bees and a landing pad for butterflies.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Drought-tolerant
Bloom time: Summer to early fall
Bonus tip: Don’t cut back spent blooms too early—finches love the seeds!

Dahlias (Dahlia spp.)

While not all dahlias are pollinator-friendly, many single-flowered varieties offer open centers packed with nectar and pollen. Bees and butterflies especially love them later in the season when other blooms begin to fade.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Regular, especially during dry spells; don’t let the soil dry out completely
Bloom time: Midsummer through fall
Bonus tip: Look for open-centered or single-petal varieties like ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ to attract the most pollinators—and be sure to deadhead to keep the blooms coming.

Hellebores (Helleborus spp.)

Also known as Lenten roses, hellebores are among the earliest garden bloomers, often flowering when snow is still on the ground. Their nodding blooms provide a critical early-season nectar source for emerging pollinators.
Sun needs: Part shade to full shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Bonus tip: Plant hellebores in woodland edges or shaded garden beds to brighten up low-light spots and give bees a head start each season.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

Sweetly scented and full of nectar, honeysuckle is a magnet for pollinators, especially hummingbirds and bees. Its tubular blooms offer an irresistible snack, and many varieties will bloom over a long season.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially when newly planted
Bloom time: Late spring through summer (and sometimes into fall)
Bonus tip: Choose non-invasive varieties like Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle) or Lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle) to keep your garden pollinator-friendly and environmentally responsible.

Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

Lupines add vertical interest and color to spring beds, and their unique flower spikes are a favorite of early pollinators.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Regular during blooming
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Bonus tip: They also fix nitrogen in the soil—good for your whole garden.

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Milkweed is a must-have for any pollinator garden, especially if you want to support monarch butterflies. Its clusters of star-shaped flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies, while the plant itself is the only food source for monarch caterpillars.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Bloom time: Summer
Bonus tip: Try planting native varieties like Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) or Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) to attract the most pollinators and best fit your local climate.

Phlox (Phlox spp.)

Phlox adds clouds of color to the garden, and pollinators can’t resist it, especially butterflies and hummingbirds. From tall garden phlox to low-growing creeping varieties, there’s a type for nearly every spot in the garden.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade (depending on variety)
Watering: Moderate; keep soil moist, especially in hot weather
Bloom time: Spring to late summer
Bonus tip: Choose fragrant varieties of tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) for maximum pollinator power—and don’t forget to deadhead for extended blooms.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

Primroses are one of the garden’s earliest bloomers, offering a much-needed nectar source for bees waking up from winter. Their cheerful blooms, which come in a rainbow of colors, look especially pretty in shady borders or along woodland edges.
Sun needs: Part shade to full shade
Watering: Keep soil moist but well-drained
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Bonus tip: Plant in clusters for more impact and help pollinators spot them more easily in early spring when blooms are scarce.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)

Shasta daisies are a summertime favorite for gardeners and pollinators alike with their classic white petals and sunny yellow centers. Bees and butterflies love the wide landing pads and easy-access pollen.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
Bloom time: Early to late summer
Bonus tip: Deadhead spent blooms to keep the flowers coming, and divide every few years to keep the plants vigorous and tidy.

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

Sedums, especially varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’, provide late-season nectar when other flowers have faded.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Very drought-tolerant
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Bonus tip: Great for rock gardens, borders, and container planting.

Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)

While many coreopsis are perennials, some varieties are grown as annuals. Their long bloom season makes them a favorite of pollinators.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
Bonus tip: Use in mass plantings for a meadow-style look.

Veronica (Veronica spp.)

Veronica’s tall spires of purple, blue, pink, or white blooms are a favorite stop for bees, butterflies, and even the occasional hummingbird. Their tidy growth habit makes them perfect for borders or pollinator-friendly containers.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late spring to midsummer (with repeat blooms if deadheaded)
Bonus tip: Cut back after the first flush of flowers to encourage more blooms and a neater look.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Flat-topped flower clusters make yarrow easy for bees to land on. This tough perennial thrives in poor soil and hot weather.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Bonus tip: Cut back after the first bloom for a second flush.

Annual Flowers That Attract Bees

Annuals might only last one season, but they sure know how to put on a show and many are beloved by pollinators. These flowers bloom fast and often, making them perfect for filling in garden gaps and creating continuous color that bees can’t resist.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

These cheerful, daisy-like flowers come in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow, and they’re a nonstop source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Blanket flowers are tough, drought-tolerant, and bloom like crazy from early summer through fall.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low; very drought-tolerant once established
Bloom time: Early summer to fall
Bonus tip: Deadhead regularly to extend the bloom time—and don’t worry about poor soil; these flowers actually thrive in it.

Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)

Cosmos are light, airy, and wildly attractive to bees. They bloom nonstop and self-seed easily.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate (don’t overwater!)
Bloom time: Summer through fall
Bonus tip: Pinch back early for bushier plants and more blooms.

French Marigold (Tagetes patula)

These cheerful orange and yellow blooms are not only bee-friendly, but they also help repel pests like aphids.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Moderate
Bloom time: Spring to frost
Bonus tip: Plant near veggies for companion planting benefits.

Lantana (Lantana spp.)

Lantana’s clusters of vibrant blooms are like a neon sign for pollinators, especially butterflies and bees. This heat-loving annual (or perennial in warmer zones) blooms nonstop and thrives in containers, borders, and sunny beds.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Low once established; very drought-tolerant
Bloom time: Late spring through frost
Bonus tip: Use lantana in hanging baskets or patio pots to bring pollinators right up to your sitting areas. Just be sure to avoid the invasive varieties in some regions.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Not just for borders, marigolds bring in bees, especially single-flowered varieties with easier access to pollen.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Moderate
Bloom time: Late spring through fall
Bonus tip: Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce bloom count.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Snapdragons bloom early and again in fall in cooler climates. Their tube-like flowers are popular with bees (especially bumblebees!).
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate, keep soil consistently moist
Bloom time: Spring and fall
Bonus tip: Snip off spent blooms to encourage a second round of flowers.

Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)

Sunflowers are a bee buffet. Their wide faces are ideal for foraging, and they produce loads of pollen and nectar.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Moderate, more when young
Bloom time: Midsummer through fall
Bonus tip: Leave seed heads for birds after bloom season.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet Alyssum might be low-growing, but it packs a punch when it comes to attracting pollinators. Its tiny, fragrant flowers form soft clouds of white, pink, or purple blooms that bees and beneficial insects absolutely love.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates some drought
Bloom time: Spring through fall (often with a break in extreme summer heat)
Bonus tip: Tuck alyssum along garden edges, between stepping stones, or in containers for beautiful ground cover that keeps pollinators busy.

Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

Zinnias are easy to grow and bloom like crazy. Bees love their open centers and bright colors.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Water regularly at the base to avoid mildew
Bloom time: Summer to first frost
Bonus tip: Deadhead often to keep the blooms coming.

Herbs That Attract Bees

Herbs aren’t just for cooking. They’re a hit with pollinators, too. Many herbs have fragrant flowers or attract bees with their rich nectar.

Plus, growing herbs can be a double win: pollinators benefit, and you get fresh ingredients for your kitchen. Win-win!

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil is a bee favorite, especially when it starts to flower. The tiny white or purple flowers are packed with nectar.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Keep soil moist, but well-drained
Bloom time: Late summer to fall (if you let it flower)
Bonus tip: Pinch off flowers to encourage bushier growth and more leaves.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Known for its calming scent, lavender’s purple spikes are a pollinator magnet. Bees love the long-lasting blooms.
Sun needs: Full sun
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established
Bloom time: Summer
Bonus tip: Prune lightly after blooming to maintain its shape and encourage more flowers.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm’s fresh citrusy fragrance draws bees in, and its delicate white flowers are easy for them to visit.
Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Bonus tip: Harvest leaves for tea and enjoy its soothing qualities—while supporting pollinators, of course.

Attracting Bees to Your Garden

Growing pollinator-friendly plants is a great first step, but there’s even more you can do to turn your garden into a bee haven. A few thoughtful touches can make all the difference in welcoming bees and helping them thrive.

Why Attract Bees to Your Garden?

Bees are essential for healthy gardens and thriving ecosystems. They pollinate fruits, vegetables, and flowers, helping plants reproduce and increasing yields. Without them, many of our favorite foods and blooms would struggle.

But beyond their hardworking role, bees bring your garden to life. A space filled with buzzing and fluttering pollinators feels vibrant and full of energy.

And in today’s world, where bee populations are under threat, creating a pollinator-friendly garden is a simple way to support their survival.

What Attracts Bees to Your Garden?

Here’s what bees are naturally drawn to—and how you can use that knowledge to design your garden with intention:

Colors Bees Love

Bees are especially attracted to blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow flowers. Bright blooms stand out in the garden and are easier for bees to spot.

Scents That Attract Bees

Fragrant flowers and herbs like lavender, mint, and lemon balm are bee magnets. Strong, sweet-smelling plants are easier for pollinators to detect from a distance.

Flower Structures Bees Love

Open-faced or tubular flowers make it easier for bees to access nectar. Think coneflowers, daisies, zinnias, and snapdragons. Clustered blooms are also great because they give bees more landing space.

The Value of Native Plants

Native plants have co-evolved with local pollinators, making them especially valuable food sources. They’re often low-maintenance and more resilient, too. Incorporate a few into your flower beds or borders for a big payoff.

Attracting Bees Throughout the Growing Season

Plant a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming flowers so your garden provides nectar from spring through fall. This ensures bees have a consistent food source all season long.

Common Questions About Flowers That Attract Bees

Curious about which flowers bees really love, or what to avoid planting? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you grow a garden that’s buzzing with life.

What Flower Attracts Bees the Most?

While many flowers attract bees, lavender, bee balm, coneflower, and sunflowers are some of the most bee-friendly. They give easy access to nectar and pollen and bloom for long stretches of the season.

What Flower Scent Attracts Bees?

Bees are drawn to sweet, floral, and herbal scents, especially from plants like lavender, anise hyssop, lemon balm, and mint. Fragrance helps bees locate flowers from a distance.

What are Bees’ Least Favorite Flowers?

Bees tend to avoid flowers with double blooms (which often hide the pollen and nectar) or strong, unpleasant scents. Some ornamental plants have been bred more for appearance than pollinator access, so choose single-petal, open-faced flowers when in doubt.

What Are the Best Hanging Basket Flowers for Bees?

Petunias, calibrachoa, lobelia, lantana, and nasturtiums are great picks for pollinator-friendly hanging baskets. Just make sure the blooms are accessible and haven’t been treated with pesticides.

What Potted Flowers Attract Bees?

Plenty of potted plants can welcome bees to patios and porches. Try zinnias, lavender, marigolds, catmint, snapdragons, or herbs like thyme and oregano. Grouping several pots together can make them even more attractive to pollinators.

Final Thoughts on Growing a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Planting a garden that attracts bees and other pollinators isn’t just good for the environment; it’s one of the most rewarding ways to garden. With a mix of perennials, annuals, and herbs, you can turn your space into a buzzing, blooming sanctuary that supports local ecosystems and brings beauty to your yard all season long.

Whether you’re working with a large garden, a cozy patio, or just a few containers on a balcony, every pollinator-friendly plant you add makes a difference. Start small, plant what you love, and enjoy the magic that comes with watching bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds make themselves at home.

Have a favorite flower that pollinators can’t resist? I’d love to hear about it—drop a comment below and let’s keep the garden inspiration going!

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

I’m a self-taught hobby gardener. Everything I share on my blog is my opinion and what has worked for me.

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