Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds & Butterflies

Spotting a hummingbird or butterfly sipping nectar is a garden highlight. But what if you lack planting space? Even a balcony, patio, or windowsill can become a mini habitat with containers full of nectar-rich flowers—adding color and life to your outdoor area.

The whir of hummingbird wings and flash of iridescent throats is pure delight. Attracting them is simple: provide flowering plants with sweet nectar. Here, a Costa's hummingbird visits Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, zones 8–10) at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. Let's build your own container habitat.

Choose the Right Location

Place containers where you'll see visitors—near an entry, window, or path. Most nectar plants need at least six hours of sun. Grouped containers create a bigger floral target; more flowers mean more pollinators notice. This grouping includes Katie ruellia (Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie', zones 8–10), red salvia (Salvia splendens, zones 10–11), Victoria Blue salvia (Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue', zones 8–10), and red verbena (Glandularia spp.).

Short on floor space? Look up. Window boxes and hanging baskets work beautifully. This Charleston window box holds Radiation lantana (Lantana camara 'Radiation', zones 9–11), blue lobelia, white petunias, and trailing ivy.

Don't limit habitat to home—office containers attract pollinators too.

Containers & Soil

Larger pots hold more soil, dry slower, and buffer temperature swings. Use a high-quality container mix—it retains moisture better than standard potting soil, which can become soggy.

Plant Selection: Go Native

Native plants are ideal—they're adapted to local climate and attract local pollinators. Your cooperative extension or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center can recommend species for your area.

Plants for Hummingbirds

Tubular flowers suit their long beaks. Red is a favorite, but they feed from all colors—from firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii, zones 5–9) to yellow aloe vera (Aloe vera, zone 9). Container-friendly favorites:

• Aloe (Aloe spp.)
• Beebalm (Monarda spp.)
• Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
• Foxglove (Digitalis spp.)
• Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera, zones 9–11)
• Lantana (Lantana spp.)
• Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
• Petunia (Petunia spp.)
• Salvia (Salvia spp.)
• Summer phlox

Adding moss or lichen provides nesting material.

Plants for Butterflies

Butterflies prefer open-faced flowers to land on (they don't hover). Mass colorful plants for maximum impact. Container-friendly picks:

• Alyssum (Lobularia maritima, all zones)
• Aster (Symphyotrichum spp., Aster spp.)
• Beebalm (Monarda spp.)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
• Lantana (Lantana spp.)
• Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
• Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Salvia (Salvia spp.)
• Verbena (Verbena spp.)

Arranging Plants in Containers

Design-wise, place tall plants center or back, medium around them, trailing at edges. Possibilities are endless: all annuals, mixed perennials, a flowering shrub, or combinations. More color = more pollinators.

Extra Elements for Hummingbirds

Provide perches: a nearby tree, a dead branch in the pot, garden art rising above the container, or certain succulents. Both pollinators love water—site containers near a water feature if possible.

This container combines coreopsis, petunias, and trailing ivy for a nectar-rich display.