Make Your Yard A Hummingbird Haven: Plants, Water & Shelter For Hummingbird Habitat

Did you know that the southwest is home to more hummingbirds than any other region of the US? Some hummingbirds are year-round residents in the American South and West, but there are about a dozen species that migrate to and from the warm winter climates of Mexico and Central America. These tiny pollinators travel thousands of miles – including long stretches over water – so they need plenty of energy reserves!

By providing water, shelter, and an assortment of colorful flowering plants, you can help to replace habitat that has been lost due to human activities like agriculture and urbanization.

When you grow a hummingbird garden, you'll be rewarded with the company of these wonderful birds and delight in seeing these winged jewels darting from flower to flower for their next sip of nectar.

You can even register your garden as a Certified Hummingbird Haven to support conservation and inspire others!

Jump to a section to learn more:

• Food & Natural Nectar For Hummingbirds
• Fresh Water For Hummingbirds
• Shelter & Sanctuary For Hummingbirds
• Certify Your Garden As A Hummingbird Haven
• Additional Resources For Hummingbird Gardens
• Shop Hummingbird Plants

"As a result of their unique but inefficient means of flight, they must consume enormous amounts of food each day, with nectar often amounting to 100-200% of their body weight." - The Hummingbird Society

When it comes to feeding hummingbirds, natural nectar is best. "Natural nectar" refers to the nectar that comes from flowers. In the diet of a hummingbird, comparing natural nectar to the sugar water in hummingbird feeders is like comparing an organic fruit smoothie to a soda. While many non-gardeners use hummingbird feeders as nectar sources, we encourage gardeners to go with plants as much as possible. Plus, planting a garden brings added beauty to the landscape and an appreciation and understanding of how the natural world is interconnected.

Hummingbird favorites typically have long, tubular blossoms. The shape accommodates their long, slender beaks for a sip of nectar, and limits insect access to the nectar inside. Hummingbirds seek flowers by sight, rather than scent, and they are most often attracted to vivid colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, blue/purple. 

Hummingbirds do not live on nectar alone: they also need protein! Hummingbirds eat tiny insects and spiders to balance out their diet. The added benefit of planting a hummingbird garden is that in addition to nectar, plants also provide habitat for the insects required to feed hummingbirds.

Planting a variety of plants with different blooming times will help to keep hummingbirds happy all season. Our top recommendations for hummingbird favorites with abundant natural nectar are listed below.

Hummingbird Favorite Plants For Spring & Summer

It's important to include these earlier-blooming perennials for late spring and early summer color, to provide nectar for the earliest migrating hummingbirds returning to your garden.

• Arp Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Arp)
• Beardtongue (Penstemon)
• Columbine (Aquilegia)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera)
• Lonicera (Honeysuckle)

Hummingbird Favorite Plants For Mid-Summer Through Fall

The presence of these later bloomers will ensure an abundance of hummingbirds at the height of their southward migration. To attract hummingbirds from mid-summer through the fall, plant the following suggestions:

• Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)
• Texas Red Yucca (Hesperaloe)
• Redbirds in a Tree (Scrophularia Macrantha)
• Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
• Bee Balm (Monarda)
• Sage (Salvia)
• Hummingbird Trumpet (Zauschneria)

Looking for further inspiration? See David Salman's Hummingbird Garden Plant List. 

• When planning your hummingbird garden, don't forget to consider wildflowers and spring-planted bulbs!
• Planting wildflowers from seed can be a good option for filling containers, new garden beds, and meadows with abundant nectar-rich blooms. Favorites include Zinnias, Cleome, Mexican Sunflowers, and our hummingbird-friendly mixes. Shop Wildflowers For Hummingbirds.
• Spring-planted flower bulbs are a good complement to perennials - since they grow to full size in their first season, they can attract hummingbirds while perennials grow to their mature size. Favorites include Crocosmia, Gladiolus, Callas, and Cannas. Shop Spring-Planted Bulbs for Hummingbirds.

• Provide moving water, such as a small fountain or a source of dripping or spraying water. Hummingbirds prefer moving water, such as water sources that drip or spray, not a birdbath with standing water.
• A fountain with multiple tiers that drip, or a very low volume mist nozzle attached to a branch or tree trunk is ideal.
• Remember to locate the mist nozzle or fountain in the open, situated away from hiding spots where cats can hide and ambush the birds.

• Hummingbirds love a bare branch on which to sit. Remember not to be too quick to clean up dead branches on the tops of shrubs or lower branches of trees - these make great perches!
• Conifers, shade trees, and taller shrubs will provide a sheltered perch where the hummingbirds can rest, build nests, and safely survey their garden domain.
• Placing small handfuls of clothes drier lint in the branches will provide material for hummingbirds to build their nests.
• Generally, it's safest to keep cats indoors to create a safe space for hummingbirds.
• Create a safe environment by avoiding pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers in or near your garden. You and your hummingbird visitors will benefit.

Learn More about David Salman's Hummingbird Gardens

Hummingbird Migration: How Gardeners Can Support The Journey South

How To Grow Agastache, or Hummingbird Mint