7 Great Potted Flowers You Can Plant That Attract Hummingbirds

Written by Jaydee Williams
Updated: September 21, 2023
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Hummingbirds are a rare sight for some, especially in cities and areas with less vegetation. Luckily, there are a plethora of potted plants that can draw them straight to your doorstep or patio. Keep reading to learn about seven potted plants that you can grow to attract hummingbirds.

These potted plants can draw hummingbirds straight to your doorstep or window.

Hummingbirds Are Unique

Hummingbirds are often a welcomed sight because they are one of the most unique and beautiful species of birds. They get their name from the sound that their wings make while flapping. Because they flap their wings around 10-15 times per second, they create a special humming sound which is why they’re called hummingbirds or “hummers.”

Hummingbirds live for around 3 to 5 years, and will usually return to the same flowers and feeders annually. This means that if you establish a great potted garden for hummingbirds to visit, you’ll likely see them over and over. This is because of their amazing memory. The birds remember every flower and feeder they’ve been to, as well as how long it takes for flowers to refill with nectar. If you create a garden of many potted flowers and plants, you’ll likely see hummingbirds return to it often.

One great thing about hummingbirds is that you won’t need to bring out a flashlight to try and find them. The birds are diurnal, or active during the day, so you can spot them feeding throughout the entire day. They have very high metabolisms and have to feed about every 10-15 minutes.

Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird

Hummingbirds have to feed every 10-15 minutes to sustain themselves due to their incredibly fast metabolisms.

©Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com

Creating a Hummingbird Garden

While many of these plants can also be planted in the ground, potted plants are great for city dwellers and those without a backyard. Living in an apartment doesn’t mean that you can’t have hummingbirds come to visit. When it comes to potted flowers, you can keep them in separate pots or mix a few species together. 

The good thing about creating a hummingbird garden is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. You can plant the flowers in pots and containers, or even recycle things like yogurt tubs and large soda bottles. 

Location is key when it comes to creating the perfect potted hummingbird garden. Make sure the flowers are in an area where you can see them. If you have a large window, you can place the plants outside of it. You can also put them along walkways or by your front door. Make sure that the area they are in gets ample sunlight, and water them regularly. If you have little space on the ground, consider getting window boxes or hanging pots instead. Once you have a plan and some containers, it’s time to decide which flowers to purchase.

Impatiens 

Impatiens are a great choice for hummingbirds because they are annuals and they come in so many bright colors. Hummingbirds are most attracted to reds and purples, so choose impatiens in that color scheme if possible.

Potted red and white impatiens in barrel

Impatiens come in many different colors, including multicolor!

©Ole Schoener/Shutterstock.com

Cigar Plant

Named after their unique, tubular-shaped flowers, the cigar plant is extremely attractive to hummingbirds. This is because the flowers are red and usually hold a lot of nectar. They are perennial plants that grow well during the spring and summer months but should be brought inside to overwinter.

The cigar plant resembles a burning cigar in shape and color.

The cigar plant resembles a burning cigar in shape and color.

©TTONN/Shutterstock.com

Begonia

Begonias come in many colors, but one variety is more attractive to the birds than others. Bonfire begonias have bright orange trumpet-shaped blooms and red-edged leaves. They are very easy to grow and require partial sun to full sun.

Begonia boliviensis

These flowers bloom throughout spring and summer and can be planted in pots or hanging planters.

©Philip Bird LRPS CPAGB/Shutterstock.com

Lantana

Lantana flowers are perennials, making them a more sustainable option for your potted garden because they bloom year after year. Lantanas also come in a variety of colors, and many have multiple colors on each plant. Choose bright lantanas that are red, orange, or purple to attract the most hummingbirds.

Lantana

Lantana flowers come in many color varieties.

©Andre Silva Pinto/Shutterstock.com

Bee Balm

Bee balms have bright pink, red, or purple blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. They are perennial plants that give off a fragrant aroma that is pleasing to pollinators as well as people. Bee balm plants can handle partial shade but do best with at least six hours of full sun daily. 

Hummingbird drinking nectar from a bright red bee balm plant flower

Hummingbirds are especially attracted to bee balm because of the bright colors and tubular-shaped blooms.

©Cavan-Images/Shutterstock.com

Daylily

Daylilies come in a few different colors, but choosing a bright orange can be most attractive to hummingbirds. They are also perennials, and they don’t require a lot of care making them an easy container plant. 

Daylily, Hemerocallis 'Ruffled Apricot'

The beautiful Ruffled Apricot daylily blossom is an attractive flower to hummingbirds.

©iStock.com/Gerald G Gantar

Fuchsia

Like many of the others on this list, fuchsia blooms are trumpet-shaped and bright in color. They grow very well in pots, hanging baskets, or containers. They are perennials but bloom longer than many other perennial plant species. 

Fuchsia Flower, Flower, Plant, Flower Pot, Blossom

Fuchsia flowers bloom for longer than most other perennial flowers.

©iStock.com/IKvyatkovskaya

Summary of the 7 Great Potted Flowers You Can Plant That Attract Hummingbirds

RankPotted Flower
1Impatiens
2Cigar Plant
3Begonia
4Lantana
5Bee Balm
6Daylily
7Fuchia

Honorable Mention: Other Potted Plants That Are Great for Attracting Hummingbirds

Kniphofia uvaria or Red Hot Poker. Kniphofia uvaria is also known as Tritoma, Torch Lily, or Red Hot Poker. The leaves are reminiscent of a lily, and the flower

Red hot pokers are perennials that can be found in more than 70 varietals and can grow up to four feet.

©costagliola/Shutterstock.com

There are ample flower varietals that are excellent at attracting insects and birds. With over 25 to choose from, it may be hard to decide on which one to plant. If you wish for your yard to be a retreat for hummingbirds, you should also consider red hot pokers, sonnet snapdragons, dianthus, or petunias.

  • Sonnet Snapdragons – these tall, tubular plants have flowers that are flute-like and can grow to heights of up to 24 inches. With blooms that appear in the cool seasons of fall, winter, and early spring, these are the perfect nectar-giving food for the tiny hummingbirds. There are two main types of this annual – traditional “mouth-type” and butterfly or open face.
  • Dianthus – with over 300 species of dianthus to choose from, you are bound to attract these tiny fluttering birds. You can add one or two varietals, or have your yard comprised of many but these colorful flowers will be sure to please. These are comprised of mostly perennials and can grow up to 18 inches.
  • Petunias – these brightly colored, tubular-shaped flowers are classified as perennials but as they are not fond of cold weather, they generally act as annuals. These flowers have the nectar that hummingbirds will be drawn to, although many varietals of this plant aren’t filled with an abundance of nectar, with the exception of the Double Wave Blue Velvet petunia, which is said to be nectar-rich and the best attractor of hummingbirds.
  • Red Hot Pokers – these vibrant, colorful flowers resemble lit torches which is why they are also called the torch lily. Found in more than 70 varietals, these perennials can grow up to four feet and require part to full sun. Hummingbirds are attracted to their nectar-packed flowers and are sure to spend time in your garden should you plant this beauty.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jiri Hrebicek/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Jaydee Williams is a writer at AZ Animals where her primary focus is on gardening, mammals, and travel. She has over 5 years of experience in writing and researching and holds a Master's Degree in English from the American College of Education, which she earned in 2019. A central Florida native, Jaydee loves being on the water, playing music, and petting her cat, Beans.

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