If you want to create a biodiverse and sustainable garden, plant these native flowers for butterflies in Sacramento. When considering which native plants to plant in your yard, why not select for plants that will attract these beautiful fluttering pollinators and create a hub of native color around your home?
There are over 1300 butterfly and moth species native to California. Many of these insects have developed important relationships with the plants that thrive naturally in our various unique California environments. The Sacramento region experiences mild winters and scorching hot summers. The plants that thrive in this region are hardy and often drought-tolerant.
Planting native plants in our yards is just one small thing we can do to maintain a healthy ecosystem and support our local pollinators. Butterflies in particular are attracted to both host plants and the more vibrant, nectar-rich plants. Native plants are more environmentally friendly and, in the case of monarchs and milkweed plants, are often vital to the lifecycle of the insect. Butterflies also prefer shelter from harsh winds, a freshwater source, and a wide-open sunny space.
If you’re looking for some natural landscaping and gardening inspiration, visit the scene of a California Super Bloom in the spring and summer! For more ideas on plants that attract common butterflies as well as common butterfly host plants, check out Plants That Attract Butterflies!
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What are host plants?
Host plants provide a food source for caterpillars and are often a safe place for butterflies to lay their eggs, while nectar plants simply attract butterflies with their nectar stores. These plants attract female butterflies through the chemicals they emit. Once found, females will begin laying eggs on various parts of the plant. Males are also attracted to host plants because these are the places they are most likely to find females for mating. Some common butterfly host plants include violets, dill, asters, and native grasses.
Not all host plants are equally attractive across the board. Different species of butterflies rely on different host plants for the reproductive process and also prefer differing nectar sources. Gardeners hoping to design a butterfly garden might focus on a few key butterfly species they wish to attract, and select host and nectar plants accordingly. Another option is to simply plant a diverse selection of native plants and take pleasure in witnessing all the native butterflies that show up.
Native Sacramento Plants that Attract Butterflies
Top 15 native plants that will support and attract butterflies within 30 miles of the Sacramento Area:
| Native Plants | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| California buckeye | Aesculus californica |
| Coyote mint | Monardella villosa |
| Yerba santa | Eriodictyon californicum |
| Dogbane | Apocynum androsaemifolium |
| Common yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
| Blue dicks/purpleheads | Dichelostemma capitatum |
| Mountain coyote mint | Monardella odoratissima |
| Milkweed | Asclepias fascicularis |
| California buckwheat | Eriogonum fasciculatum |
| Mule fat | Baccharis salicifolia |
| Sand-dune/Western wallflower | Erysimum capitatum |
| Cobweb thistle | Cirsium occidentale |
| Cleveland sage | Salvia clevelandii |
| Bluehead gilia | Gilia capitata |
| Black sage | Salvia mellifera |
Here are just a few butterflies and moths you may see grace your garden after planting these native plants. These butterflies will often be found visiting native plants on the list above.
| Supported Native Butterflies |
| California sister |
| Gulf fritillary |
| Sara orangetip |
| Sachem or Grass skipper |
| Swallowtails |
| Monarchs |
| Common buckeye |
| Painted lady |
| Common checkered-skipper |
| California tortoiseshell |
| Northern checkerspot |
| Great Basin wood-nymph |
| Orange sulfur/Alfalfa butterfly |
| Great purple hairstreak |
| Brown elfin |
| Mormon metalmark |
| Western pygmy blue |
| Large heath/Common ringlet |
| Harford’s sulphur |
| Mournful duskywing |
For a comprehensive list of butterfly species present in California, check out Art Shapiro’s Butterfly Site. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has also put together this complete butterfly plant list for your reference. Here are two more excellent resources for learning about native butterflies in your area and their specific ranges.
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.
