Butterfly Plant List

Common Name Genus Species Adult Larva
Ageratum Ageratum X
Althea Hibiscus Syriacus Gray Hairstreak X
Alyssum Lobularia Checkered White,
Cabbage White		 X X
Aster Aster Pearly Crescentspot X X
Black-Eye Susan Rudbeckia Bordered Patch X
Blazing Star Liatris X
Bluebonnets Lupine Frosted Elfin, Henry's
Elfin, Gray Hairstreak		 X X
Broccoli Brassica Cabbage Butterflly,
Great Southern White		 X
Butterfly Bush Buddleja X
Butterfly Weed Asclepias Monarch, Queen X X
Calendula Calendula Painted Lady X X
Camphor Tree Camphora Assorted Swallowtail X
Cardinal Flower Lobelia X
Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium X
Carrots Daucas Eastern Black
Swallowtail		 X
Chaste Tree Vitex Flashing Astraptes X X
Chile Pequin Caspicum X
Citrus Citrus Giant Swallowtail X X
Cone Flower Echinacea X
Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera X
Coralbean Erythrina X
Cosmos Cosmos X
Cottonwood Populus Viceroy, Red-Spotted
Purple		 X
Dill Anethum Eastern Black
Swallowtail		 X
Duranta Duranta X
Dutchman's Pipe Aristolochia Pipevine Swallowtail X
Elm Ulmus Mourning  Cloak,
Question Mark		 X
Fennel Foeniculum Black Swallowtail,
Variegated Fritillary		 X
Fire Bush Hamelia X
Flame Acanthus Anisacanthus Texan Crescentspot,
Janais Patch		 X X
Fringe Tree Chionanthus X
Frogfruit Phyla Buckeye, White
Peacock, Phaon
Crescentspot		 X X
Gulf Coast
Penstemon		 Penstemon X
Gulf Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia X
Hackberry Celtis Hackberry Butterfly,
Mourning Cloak, Pale
Emperor		 X
Hibiscus Hibiscus X
Holly Ilex Henry's Elfin X
Hollyhock Althaea Painted Lady, Common
Streaky Skipper		 X X
Honeysuckle Lonicera Spring Azure X X
Jacobinia Jacobinia Texan Crescentspot X
Jatropha Jatropha X
Juniper Juniperus Olive Hairstreak X
Lantana Lantana Painted Lady X X
Lettuce Lactuca Painted Lady X
Mint Mentha X
Mexican Flame-Vine Senecio X
Mexican Hat Ratibida X
Mexican Heather Cuphea X
Mexican Plum Prunus Tiger Swallowtail X
Mexican Sunflower Tithonia X
Common Name Genus Species Adult Larva
Milkweed Asclepias Monarch, Queen X X
Mistletoe Phoradendron Giant Purple Hairstreak X
Pansy Viola Variegated Fritillary X X
Parsley Petroselinum Eastern Black
Swallowtail		 X
Passion Flower Passiflora Gulf Fritillary, Zebra
Longwing, Julia		 X X
Pawpaw Asimina Zebra Swallowtail X
Pentas Pentas X
Phlox Phlox X
Pigeonberry Ravina X
Plumbago Plumbago Zebra Longwing X
Porter Weed Stachtarpheta X
Rain Lily Cooperia X
Redbud Cercis Henry's Elfin X X
Rockrose Pavonia X
Rue Ruia Easter Black & Giant
Swallowtail		 X
Ruellia Ruellia Fatima, Texas Crescentspot
Buckeye, Malachite, White
Peacock		 X
Salvia Salvia Cuban Crescentspot X X
Senna Senna Assorted Sulphur X X
Shrimp Plant Beloperone Texas Crescentspot X X
Sweet Almond
Verbena		 Aloysia X
Sweet Bay Magnolia
Virginiana		 Assorted Swallowtail X
Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora Henry's Elfin X
Toadflax Linaria Buckeye X
Trumpet Vine Campsis Cuban Crescentspot X
Tulip Tree Liriodendron Assorted Swallowtail X X
Turk's Cap Malvaviscus X
Verbena Verbena X
Virginia Sweetspire Itea X
Wax Myrtle Myrica Red-Banded Hairstreak X
Wedelia Wedelia X
Willow Salix Viceroy, Red-Spotted
Purple		 X
Winecup Callirhoe Gray Hairstreak, Common
Checkered Skpper		 X
Wisteria Wisteria Silver-Spotted Skipper X X
Yaupon Holly Ilex Henry's Elfin X
Yellow-Bells or
Esparanza		 Tecoma Stans Gray Hairstreak X X
Zinnia Zinnia X

Butterflies are easily attracted to your garden. Whether you are gardening on a balcony or have acres of space, a well-though-out butterfly garden will attract at least some of the more than 440 species that have been sighted in Texas. Plants are listed by common name and genus, because other species of the same genus are often suitable. Although butterflies will attempt to feed on most flowers, some flowers do not provide much nectar and therefore are not included in this list.

Other helpful hints include using organic methods, eliminating the possibility of poisoning your new friends. Plan your garden out and know what you need. Use a sunny area and plant a big mass of color. Provide a source of fresh water, birdbaths are great! Leave room for mud… native soils provide valuable minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Some butterflies prefer rotting fruit… it will compost and draw birds. Include a garden bench or chairs to allow you to enjoy your butterflies to the their fullest. Good Luck!