Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden By Sanna O'Sullivan
The secret to butterflies...plant the right plant, and they will come. Native plants are best at attracting wildlife. Florida's native plants have adapted to thrive in intense conditions. Same can be said for these beautiful creatures. By planting natives and creating habitat, you help protect these invaluable insects. Life cycle of Zebra Heliconian, "Longwing", FL's state butterfly
Specific host plants are essential for butterflies to reproduce. The butterfly will lay her eggs only on host plants. The baby caterpillars emerge, eating new leaf growth as they grow and eventually create a chrysalis. Using a mix of host and nectar plants to create a butterfly habitat in your own garden creates a connection to nature and an ecological win for your yard and neighborhood. To start, here is a list of some butterflies and host plants:
Butterfly -
Host plant -
Zebra Heliconian
Corky stem (Passiflora suberosa)
Gulf Fritillary
Passion vine (Passiflora species)
Atala
Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
White Peacock
Creeping Charlie (Phyla nodiflora)
Monarch
Milkweed (Asclepias species)
Giant Swallow tail
Citrus
Monarch emerging from the chrysalis
Additional resources: North American Butterfly Association Miami Blue chapter - http://miamiblue.org (including full host plant guide) Native plants: Florida Native Plant Society,
