Seven Great Potted Plants for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds zooming around from bloom to bloom in a beautiful pollinator garden sounds like the perfect backdrop for a summer afternoon nap in a shady hammock. But what if you don’t have the space for a big garden, or even have a yard?
Many plants hummingbirds love can be successfully grown in pots right on your deck, patio, front porch, or any sunny outside location you can find.
What plants are hummingbirds attracted to?
Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of flowers. They are attracted to brightly colored, tube-shaped flowers that are easy for them to reach and hover near.
Red is often said to be their favorite color, but a good supply of nectar is probably more important to keep them coming back.
Salvia
The Salvia spp. are a favorite of the hummingbirds on my back deck.
Easy to grow, tolerant of much abuse, these plants grow quite tall and striking if planted in a large container.
Although my Salvia blooms are always a dark blue color, the hummingbirds seem to prefer them even over my red feeder.
Plant them in a big cluster in the largest tub you can and set it near the railing or backdrop. They will get tall.
With regular water and at least partial sun, Salvia will keep flowering to the first frost. Often my large salvia planter is the busiest hummingbird spot in my deck garden.
Petunias
A popular, inexpensive, and easy to grow annual, flats of mixed colors can be planted in about any small space you have.
They work well in planters on the ground or table as well as in hanging baskets. Pinch off old blossoms to keep them flowering all season long.
Fuchsias
These intricate flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds as well. Plant fuchsias in a location that receives indirect sunlight or morning light.
Fuchsias are great in a hanging basket, and easy to find at most garden centers.
Remember to check the moisture in those hanging baskets frequently, as they can dry out more quickly than a regular pot.
Mexican Cigar plant (Cuphea ignea)
Also known as the Firecracker plant or Mexican cigar plant, the long tube-shaped bells of these flowers are hummingbird magnets.
A small perennial shrub in zones 9 and warmer, the cigar plant is usually grown as an annual. Growing to a moderate height, it will bloom in full to partial sun.
Impatiens
Stunning in a pot, impatiens are perfect for that partial shade or full shade location.
Available as starter plants at garden centers, they are also easily propagated by cuttings, so if your neighbor has one you like, you may be able to bribe them into letting you snip a few cuttings for yourself.
In bright colors, and with a large mounding shape, impatiens are hummingbird potted plant favorites.
Cardinal flower ( Lobelia cardinalis)
A lover of wet places, the cardinal flower can require a bit more care to adapt to a pot.
Place them out of the midday or afternoon sun and set the pot in a container of water to keep them happy. See this for more care tips on growing gorgeous cardinal flowers in pots.
Honeysuckle
Okay, this one would rather be in the ground, but it can do well in a very large pot. It is a climbing, vining perennial in much of the United States. Give it something to climb, and full to partial sun.
The bright, trumpet-shaped flowers are a huge hit with hummingbirds and butterflies alike.
Bugs for breakfast, bugs for lunch
Along with nectar, hummingbirds make a large portion of their diet from eating small insects. They need protein to fuel all that activity, as well as their long migrations.
Natural areas in your yard, garden, or neighborhood can provide the insect habitat needed. Refrain from using insecticides or herbicides that may harm populations or decrease the insect habitat.
Lastly, don’t forget to hang a good old-fashioned hummingbird feeder as well. Feeders can provide a needed source of nutrition during the early spring and late fall when other sources of food are limited.
Originally published at https://flowerandfinch.com on February 12, 2022.
