June 2, 2025
How to Start a Butterfly Garden from Seed
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing butterflies flitting around your garden, balcony, or even a sunny front stoop, you’re in luck—it’s not too late to get started! Growing a butterfly garden from seed is easier than you think, and you don’t need a big backyard to make it happen. Many flowers that attract butterflies are fast-growing, and with the right seeds and a little know-how, you can be enjoying blooms—and butterflies—by late summer.
Why Start from Seed?
Starting from seed is affordable, satisfying, and gives you access to a wider variety of plants than you’ll typically find in pots. We carry a great selection from Botanical Interests, one of our favorite seed brands known for their high-quality, easy-to-grow options. Whether you’re planting in a garden bed, raised planter, window box, or a few pots on your balcony, seeding is a great way to create a pollinator paradise.
Butterfly Favorites
While nearly all flowers will bring some pollinators to the party, there are a few that butterflies find especially irresistible. Here are some top picks we carry in seed form:
- Bee Balm – A magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, with bright, spiky blooms.
- Echinacea (Coneflower) – Long-blooming and drought-tolerant, great for both nectar and seed heads that attract wildlife.
- Lavender – Fragrant, beautiful, and beloved by butterflies and bees alike.
- Zinnias – One of the fastest-growing flowers from seed. Butterflies can’t resist them!
- Milkweed – The essential host plant for Monarch butterflies.
- Sunflowers – Tall, cheerful, and full of nectar and pollen.
- Salvia – Especially the blue and purple varieties, which are butterfly hotspots.
- Asters – Late bloomers that offer vital nectar in the fall.
We also carry flower seed mixes designed to bring in all kinds of pollinators such as Bring Home the Butterflies, Hummingbird Haven, and Save the Bees.
No Yard? No Problem.
You don’t need a sprawling garden to grow for pollinators. Many of these butterfly-friendly blooms do beautifully in containers. Try clustering a few pots with different heights and textures to create a little butterfly oasis right on your porch, balcony, or patio. Milkweed, zinnias, and bee balm are especially easy to grow in pots and will reward you with weeks of color and visitors.
Tips for Success
- Start with Sun – Most butterfly-friendly flowers thrive in full sun (at least 6 hours a day).
- Don’t Skip the Soil – Use well-draining potting soil for containers and prep garden beds by loosening soil and mixing in compost if needed.
- Water Wisely – Keep soil moist while seeds are germinating, then water deeply and less frequently once plants are established.
- Skip the Chemicals – Avoid pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They can harm the very pollinators you’re trying to attract.
- Add a Water Source – A shallow dish of water with a few stones for perching is a butterfly bonus.
It’s Not Too Late!
Many of these flowers germinate quickly and bloom within a couple of months. That means there’s still time to start your butterfly garden and enjoy the results this season. Whether you’re planting in pots or beds, from a mix or single variety, every seed you plant helps support pollinators—and brings beauty to your space.
Stop by and browse our Botanical Interests seed racks to find your favorites and get started today!
