How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Florida Garden

Florida's mild climate makes it possible to attract hummingbirds to your garden for much of the year, and the right plant choices make a bigger difference than feeders alone. Here's how to build a garden they'll love.

 

Tropical Hibiscus

 

Hibiscus produces large, tubular-shaped flowers packed with nectar that hummingbirds find hard to resist. Red and orange varieties tend to be especially attractive, since hummingbirds are drawn strongly to warm, bold colors.

 

Firebush

 

Firebush is one of the best hummingbird plants for Florida, producing clusters of tubular orange-red flowers nearly year-round in warmer parts of the state. It's a Florida native that's both low-maintenance and highly effective at drawing hummingbird activity.

 

Bougainvillea

 

The bright bracts of bougainvillea combined with its small nectar-rich flowers make it a strong hummingbird attractant, especially when grown in full sun where it blooms most heavily.

 

Pentas

 

Pentas' star-shaped flower clusters are a favorite among both butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming reliably through Florida's heat with very little maintenance required.

 

Lantana

 

Lantana's abundant, nectar-rich blooms make it a dependable hummingbird plant, especially red, orange, and pink-flowering varieties, which tend to draw more attention than cooler tones.

 

Design Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds

 

Hummingbirds are drawn to red, orange, and pink tubular flowers more than any other shape or color, so prioritize those when choosing plants. Group several nectar-rich plants together rather than spacing them out, since clusters of color are easier for hummingbirds to spot from a distance. Avoid pesticides, which can harm the tiny insects hummingbirds also rely on for protein.

 

Adding a Feeder

 

A hummingbird feeder with a simple sugar-water solution (no dye needed) can supplement your plantings, especially during migration seasons in spring and fall when demand for nectar is highest. Clean feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

 

Getting Started

 

A garden built around tubular, nectar-rich flowers in warm colors will do more to attract hummingbirds than a feeder alone. Browse our full plant selection to start building a hummingbird-friendly Florida garden.