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Host Plant List

Host plants are listed below each butterfly/moth species:

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

  • milkweeds

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

  • Hollyhock, Mallow, Malva, Sunflower, Thistles, Stinging Nettle, Ribgrass Plantain, Borage, and many more.

Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)

  • Cottonwood, Willow, Poplar.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

  • American Elm, Willow, Cottonwood, Poplar.

Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

  • Cabbage, Kale, Radish, Mustard, Nasturtiums, Cleome, other brassicas.

Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)

  • Fennel, Dill, Parsley, other plants in the carrot family.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

  • Stinging Nettle, False Nettle, Pellitory.

Comma (Polygonia spp.)

  • Stinging Nettle, False Nettle.

Lordquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)

  • Willow, Chokecherry, Poplar.

Polyphemus (Antheraea polyphemus)

  • Birch, Oak, Maple. 

Nectar Plant List

Please check your climate for suitability of growing the listed plants below:

Annuals

  • Lantana

  • Pentas

  • Marigold

  • Mexican Sunflower/Tithonia

  • Verbena

  • Borage

  • Salvia

  • Zinnia

  • Porterweed

  • Cosmos

  • Gazinna

  • Mexican Flame Vine

  • Mist Flower

Perennials

  • Milkweeds

  • Brazilian Verbena

  • Buddleia/Butterfly Bush

  • Salvia

  • Asters

  • Candytuft

  • Honeysuckle

  • Coneflower/Echinecea

  • Black-Eyed-Susan

  • Tickseed

  • Wallflower

  • Pincushion

  • Goldenrod

  • Joe Pye Weed

  • Bee Balm/Monarda

  • Blazing Star

  • Agastache

  • Buttonbush

  • Lavender

  • Phlox

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