Butterfly host plants

by Jeanne McRightPollinator gardens not only can provide nectar for butterflies and other insects, but also will help to support the caterpillar stage of butterflies and moths if you add their native host plants.Native host plants are the plants where butterflies and moths lay their eggs. They’re important because those plants are what a new caterpillar will start to eat after it has hatched.Also, read this BB blog entry…

Support pollinators when you plant a few of these butterfly larval host plants in your garden! #Butterflies #ButterflyGarden #Pollinators #GardenIdeas #PollinatorGarden #GardenGateMagazine

Butterflies are flowers with wings; they add beauty and wonder to any garden. Having host plants for them to lay eggs is even better! Here are 60+ you need!

Without a place to lay their eggs and nurture their young, we can’t have the mature butterflies we love, providing essential pollination for our gardens.

All native flowers are good food source for native pollinators like bees and butterflies; they have evolved with one another. Fall blooming natives are especially important in nourishing the migrating insects and preparing the adults and caterpillars for winter. The best plan for a pollinator garden is to plant a diversity of native plants; perhaps 30 different native species grown from a local seed source.

Butterflies and their host plants

Many butterfly species are facing habitat loss and population declines due to factors such as urbanization and agricultural practices. Through the simple act of planting and growing butterfly host plants, you contribute to the conservation of these species by providing suitable habitat and food sources. Learn more about butterfly host plants and the lifecycle of butterflies.