Best Flowers for Hummingbirds (They’re Not All Red)

Ask most people what hummingbirds eat from and they will say red flowers — and they are half right. Hummingbirds are drawn to red, but they feed from any flower with the right shape and nectar, in every color of the rainbow. What matters is a tubular bloom that fits a hummingbird’s long bill, a decent nectar load, and a long flowering season. This guide ranks the most reliable hummingbird flowers based on their bloom structure, nectar production, and the patterns gardeners consistently report — and yes, several of the best are not red at all.

At a Glance

• Best all-around: salvia (especially red salvia, but blue and purple salvias work too)
• Best native perennial: bee balm (Monarda)
• Best for western gardens: penstemon
• Best fall nectar: cardinal flower and coral honeysuckle
• Best instant action: a hummingbird feeder (while the perennials establish)

Salvia: The Hummingbird Workhorse

No flower genus feeds more hummingbird species than Salvia. The blooms are exactly hummingbird-shaped — long, narrow tubes that bees struggle to reach but hummers drain in seconds. Annual red salvia (Salvia splendens) is the classic, but perennial salvias in blue, purple, and pink are just as effective and return every year. Most bloom from early summer to frost with regular deadheading. Start from seed or plants; a salvia seed mix gives you several colors in one packet.

Bee Balm (Monarda): Red Is Optional

Bee balm’s shaggy tubular flowers come in red, pink, lavender, and white — and all of them pull hummingbirds. It blooms for weeks in midsummer, tolerates damp soil, and is one of the easiest native perennials you can grow. The red varieties such as Jacob Cline are the strongest hummer magnets, but the pink and lavender forms still draw them regularly. Give it sun and airflow to limit mildew, and divide every few years.

Penstemon: The Western Favorite

Penstemon (beardtongue) is a huge native genus with tubular flowers in red, pink, purple, blue, and white. It is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and a favorite of hummingbirds across the West and Midwest. Many species bloom in late spring, which fills the early-season gap before salvias and bee balm take over. It wants sharp drainage and full sun — plant it in the leanest, sunniest spot you have.

Cardinal Flower and Coral Honeysuckle: The Late-Season Aces

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is the classic red late-summer bloomer — a spike of intense scarlet tubes that hummingbirds find from yards away. It likes consistently moist soil, making it perfect near a rain barrel or damp corner. Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a non-invasive native vine with tubular orange-red flowers that hummingbirds work from spring to fall; grow it on a trellis or fence. Both are perennial and reliable once established.

Don’t Forget the Feeder

While perennials establish, a feeder provides guaranteed visits. The most established brand is Perky-Pet, whose glass-bottle feeders are the standard reference in hummingbird feeding. Use a 1:4 sugar-to-water mix (no dye), change it every few days in heat, and keep it clean — a dirty feeder can harm birds. A quality hummingbird feeder is the fastest way to get hummers into your yard this week, while the flower garden catches up.

Buying Guide: What to Look For

• Tubular flowers over flat ones: hummers need a tube shape; flat daisies feed butterflies, not hummers
• Bloom succession: penstemon in late spring, salvia and bee balm in summer, cardinal flower into fall
• Natives when possible: native species like Monarda, Penstemon, and Lobelia also feed native insects
• No pesticides: hummingbirds eat tiny insects too, and sprays on flowers poison the nectar
• Multiple plants of each: clumps of three or more read as a food source; singles get overlooked

FAQ

Do hummingbirds really prefer red, or is that a myth?

It is half true. Hummingbirds are attracted to red and will investigate red objects, but they feed from any nectar-rich tubular flower, including blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow ones. Color gets their attention; nectar and shape get their return visits.

How many flowers do I need to keep a hummingbird coming back?

A few well-placed clumps are usually enough, especially if something is always in bloom. Hummingbirds are territorial and will patrol a small garden that reliably produces nectar, chasing off rivals and returning daily.

Should I use dye in feeder nectar?

No. The 1:4 sugar-water recipe needs no red dye — most feeder bottles have red parts that attract birds. Dye adds nothing but risk. Change nectar every 2–3 days in hot weather to prevent fermentation.

What if my yard is mostly shade?

Cardinal flower is shade-tolerant, as are coral honeysuckle (with a few hours of sun), columbine, and fuchsia in pots. A shady yard can still support hummers with these species — see our mulching guide for keeping shade beds healthy.

Bottom Line

Build your hummingbird garden around tubular, nectar-rich flowers in bloom succession: penstemon for late spring, salvia and bee balm for summer, cardinal flower and coral honeysuckle for fall. Red helps, but the shape and the nectar are what keep them coming. Add a clean feeder for instant action while the perennials establish, and never spray the flowers. Shop hummingbird flower seeds and feeders on Amazon and start your planting this season.

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