Hummingbirds are beautiful, tiny birds that flutter around gardens looking for nectar. Their iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight as they dart from flower to flower. Hummingbirds have become increasingly popular for people to try to attract to their gardens and outdoor spaces. Using potted plants is one great way to attract hummingbirds, as it allows you to place the plants in optimal spots to draw the hummingbirds close. The key is knowing which potted plants are the most likely to attract hummingbirds.
Why Do Hummingbirds Love Nectar?
Hummingbirds are drawn to potted plants that produce an abundance of nectar. Nectar is essentially sugary water produced by flowers that hummingbirds love to drink. The nectar provides the main source of nutrition and energy for hummingbirds. Since they have very fast metabolisms and small bodies, hummingbirds need to consume significant amounts of nectar each day in order to survive and fuel their near-constant movement. A hummingbird may visit hundreds or even over a thousand flowers per day in search of nectar!
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds will get some nutrition from eating small insects as well. However, nectar is by far their primary food source. This is why they seek out flowers that reliably produce significant volumes of tasty, nutritious nectar.
Ideal Nectar Plants
When selecting potted plants to attract hummingbirds, focus on plants that check the following boxes:
- Produce abundant nectar
- Have flowers suited to the long beaks and tongues of hummingbirds
- Bloom throughout the season, providing a constant nectar source
- Preferably have red or other vibrant, hummingbird-friendly colors
Here are some excellent potted plant options that meet the above criteria and are sure to attract hungry hummingbirds to your garden.
1. Fuchsia
With their distinctive two-tone bell shaped flowers, Fuchsias are a gorgeously colorful choice. These shade-loving plants produce flowers prolifically throughout the summer if grown in appropriate conditions. Their red and purple blossoms contain plenty of nectar perfectly suited to hummingbirds. Grow fuchsia in a hanging basket or pot with regular watering for optimal blooms.
2. Petunias
A garden favorite, petunias are a great pick for hummingbird-friendly pots. Their trumpet-shaped flowers bloom heavily in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Petunias are simple to grow in containers and pair well with taller plants like fuchsia. Aim for varieties with single flowers rather than double, as this shape makes it easier for hummingbirds to access the nectar.
3. Lantana
Lantana is a low-maintenance, heat-loving plant ideal for containers. It comes in bushy varieties that produce clusters of small, tubular flowers in reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, and purples. Lantana blooms constantly with deadheading. Position potted lantana plants in full sun areas to attract the most hummingbirds.
4. Coral Honeysuckle
This vining honeysuckle thrives in pots and produces showy trumpet-shaped blossoms in vivid shades of orange and red with yellow interiors. The aptly named coral honeysuckle is specially adapted to appeal to hummingbirds, and it can bloom off and on for much of the year in warmer climates. Place containers near fences, trellises, and posts so the vines can climb up.
5. Bee Balm
Also called monarda, bee balm is loved by both hummingbirds and pollinators. It comes in perennial varieties that have a long bloom season in shades like red, pink, and purple. Bee balm grows well in containers with regular watering and ample sunlight. The shaggy-looking flowers give off a pleasant fragrance that makes this plant even more appealing for porches and patios.
6. Cardinal Flower
Sporting bright red blooms on tall spikes, it’s easy to see why cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds. This perennial does well in partly shaded containers, providing nectar-rich flowers that tend to peak in mid to late summer. Combine cardinal flower with shade-loving impatiens and coleus for gorgeous pots sure to entice hummingbirds.
7. Nasturtium
An annual plant perfect for hanging baskets, nasturtiums produce edible flowers and leaves with a peppery taste. Their funnel-shaped blossoms come in brilliant shades like red, orange, and yellow, ideal for catching the eyes of hungry hummers. Nasturtiums grow quickly and bloom heavily through summer and fall.
8. Begonias
For a plants with beautifully patterned flowers, look for tuberous or wax begonias. Both types produce lots of color from showy blooms in shades like red, pink, white, yellow, and orange. Begonias thrive in semi-shaded pots with routine watering. Try them in hanging baskets on porches out of direct sunlight.
Growing Tips for Maximum Flowers
Follow these tips to ensure your hummingbird-friendly potted plants produce the most flowers possible:
- Site in Sunny Spots – Place pots in areas that receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best growth and flowering.
- Use Rich Soil – Hummingbird plants thrive in fertile, well-draining potting mix with compost or other organic matter.
- Water Thoroughly – Check soil daily and water whenever the top few inches become dry. Don’t let pots completely dry out.
- Fertilize Regularly – Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
- Deadhead Spent Blooms – This encourages new flower production so nectar keeps flowing.
- Bring Indoors in Winter – Plants like fuchsia and lantana can overwinter indoors in a sunny window.
Where to Position Hummingbird Planters
Proper placement of your hummingbird-friendly potted plants is key. Observe where hummingbirds tend to feed in your yard and position planters in those optimal areas. Here are some prime spots to try:
- On a deck or porch near feeders
- By exterior windows that will reflect leaves and flowers
- In a flower bed or garden border at the edge of a lawn or path
- Hanging where hummingbirds often stop to hover, like near trees
- On a balcony or patio near flowering bushes and trees
- Near a water feature, which hummingbirds often visit for bathing and drinking
Group multiple hummingbird-friendly pots together in a given area to create an irresistible nectar and color buffet. Use red flowers strategically, as red is very attractive to hummingbirds. But also include blooms in other colors to provide variety.
Pair with Non-Flowering Plants
While flowering plants will provide the nectar source, you can make your potted hummingbird garden even more enticing by combining in some non-blooming plants too. These can provide additional habitat benefits to attract and retain more hummingbirds.
Some top choices include:
- Ferns – Pretty foiliage adds greenery and gives hummingbirds places to perch and rest in shady spots.
- Bee Balm – Provides shelter plus additional nectar when not blooming.
- Monkey Grass – Spreads to make a lush ground cover hummingbirds can hide in.
- Boxwoods – Evergreen shrubs offer protection from predators and harsh weather.
- Coral Bells – Low-growing perennials help mark safe feeding areas with their spikes of flowers.
Providing Other Attractants
While nectar-producing flowers are the primary draw, you can increase the odds of hummingbirds visiting your potted plants by providing some other attractive resources nearby:
- A clean hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar solution
- Drippers or misters adding the sound and movement of water
- Low-wattage lights left on at night to attract insects
- A diverse range of plants, trees, and flowers in your overall landscape
- Plenty of protected perching spots
Best Hummingbird Flowers for Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets make it easy to position flowering plants right in midair where hummingbirds prefer to feed. Here are some top picks for mounted planters that will have hummingbirds flocking to your porch or patio:
Petunias
A foolproof choice, petunias spill gracefully over basket edges while producing copious blooms. Select single-flower varieties in vivid colors.
Fuchsia
The dangling flowers on this shade-loving favorite are perfect for hanging right in the path of hummingbirds.
Million Bells
Also called calibrachoa, these abundant bloomers come in hummingbird-friendly hues like red, orange, pink, and purple.
Verbena
Tall verbena adds great trailing purple or red flowers on vertically growing stems.
Nasturtium
The edible, peppery flowers and leaves of nasturtiums entice hummingbirds in basket form.
Begonias
Wax begonias or other basket-friendly types love hanging in dappled shade while producing colorful flowers.
Trailing Lantana
Special trailing varieties of this hummingbird favorite are perfect spilling out of baskets in hot, sunny situations.
Best Flower Colors for Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds see colors differently than humans. They have more photoreceptors in their eyes, allowing them to perceive a wider range of color hues. Hummingbirds can see into the ultraviolet spectrum. They also have amazing color memory to recall which flowers have the best nectar.
These unique adaptations mean hummingbirds are visually drawn toward flowers in certain colors. When picking hummingbird-attracting potted plants, focus on these shades:
Red
Bright, vivid red flowers grab attention and say “nectar here!” to hummingbirds better than other colors.
Orange
Another favorite, orange flowers often signal high nectar content. Oranges, coral, and reddish tones all appeal.
Yellow
While less attractive than red or orange, yellow flowers will still entice hummingbirds to stop by and inspect them.
Pink
Pinks of all shades draw hummingbirds, though paler pinks may not attract them as strongly as bold hot pinks.
Purple
Deep shades of purple and magenta make excellent accent colors mixed with other hot colors like reds.
Blue
Blue flowers don’t typically attract hummingbirds as they lack the warmth of red tones. But deep indigo or violet blue flowers can still tempt hummers.
Hardiness Zone Considerations
To ensure your hummingbird plants not only survive but thrive, choose varieties suited to your USDA hardiness zone. Potted plants can always be brought indoors in more extreme climates, but in general focus on:
- Zones 3-7 – Fuchsia, bee balm, honeysuckle, begonias, impatiens
- Zones 8-10 – Lantana, verbena, petunias, nasturtiums
- Zones 4-11 – Cardinal flower, coral bells
Check your average minimum winter temperatures to determine your zone. This will dictate which hummingbird plants can stay in pots outdoors year-round vs. those that need overwintering indoors until the danger of frost has passed.
Overwintering Tender Potted Plants
Non-hardy potted plants like fuchsias, lantanas, and petunias can’t withstand freezing temps but they can thrive as houseplants in winter. Before your first fall frost, prepare them by:
- Moving pots inside to sunny south-facing windows
- Pruning back leggy growth
- Checking for pests like whiteflies or aphids
- Cutting back on watering as growth slows
Let the plants rest through winter with minimal water and no fertilizer. Begin acclimating them to going back outside in spring once danger of frost is over. Gradually expose them to longer periods outdoors before moving outside full time after your last spring frost.
Get Creative with Containers and Planters!
Hummingbird-attracting plants aren’t limited to traditional round pots. Get creative with the type of planters you use – the birds won’t mind! Some fun container and planter ideas include:
- Hanging baskets
- Window boxes or railing planters
- Unique ceramic or metal pots
- Repurposed items like wagons, watering cans, or buckets
- Raised cedar or composite beds for flowers and shrubs
- Two or three tiered planters
Just be sure any container you use has adequate drainage holes to prevent plants from getting waterlogged. Add a splash of color by painting or staining planter boxes to match your outdoor aesthetic too!
Conclusion
With their shimmery feathers and magical hovering flight, hummingbirds bring joy wherever they appear. Attract these special birds to your outdoor living area by potting some of their favorite nectar-producing plants. Opt for red, orange, pink, or purple blooms in a variety of flower shapes to invite hummingbirds to stop by. Place planters strategically where you already see hummers feeding. Tend your potted plants well so they produce plentiful flowers all season long to entice hummingbirds back again and again.
