The secret to attracting hummingbirds to your yard—plants with red, tubular, sweet flowers that become veritable nectar magnets

Have you ever spot a hummingbird and just freeze for a second, hoping it doesn’t zip away too fast? I know, it feels like catching a moment of magic.

If you want more of that? It’s shouldn’t be that hard. There are about 15–20 species are regularly seen in the United States, you just need to give them what they love: flowers. Those ones packed with nectar, bursting with color, and shaped just right for those tiny beaks.

Thing is, hummingbirds burn through so much energy that they’re always on the hunt for their next meal. They can visit up to 2,000 flowers in a single day just to keep going. So, they won’t stick around in one spot too long, but if your yard offers some of their favorite “go-to” plants, chances are you’ll see them coming back again and again.

Start small… maybe a pot of zinnias on the porch, or a few petunias in a window box. Soon enough, you’ll have hummingbirds dropping by almost daily.

And then there are the real winners—the plants that practically guarantee a hummingbird party in your garden. No exaggeration, some of these blooms have them swarming my little patch all summer long.

Here are the 10 plants that will make you famous around the hummingbirds:

Want hummingbirds buzzing around your garden? The trick is planting the flowers they just can’t resist. Bright colors, sweet nectar, and blooms shaped perfectly for their long beaks — that’s what pulls them in. Here are ten plants that pretty much guarantee a visit:

1. Salvia – Especially the red ones. They’re like neon signs for hummingbirds.

2. Hibiscus – Huge, tropical flowers that stand out from across the yard. The red blooms are a favorite.

3. Honeysuckle – Coral honeysuckle grows fast, smells sweet, and flowers nonstop. These birds flock to it all summer.

4. Alstroemeria – Those striped, colorful petals aren’t just pretty for people — hummingbirds love them too.

5. Anise sage (hummingbird sage) – Bright tubular flowers that seem made for them. Brush the leaves and you’ll catch a light licorice scent.

6. Foxglove – Tall stalks stacked with bell-shaped blooms. Hummingbirds zip in and out like they’re exploring little tunnels.

7. Lantana – Colorful flower clusters that handle heat like champs and keep blooming for months.

8. Phlox – Low, spreading color that fills in spaces. Hummingbirds like to pause at the small blooms.

9. Bee balm – Big, spiky flowers in bold reds and purples — basically a hummingbird magnet.

10. Petunias – Simple, cheerful, and easy to grow. Red petunias in hanging baskets are an open invitation for hummingbirds.

You don’t need a big garden

A few pots in the sun can do the trick. These birds are always on the move, and if you’ve got the flowers they like, they’ll find you.

These plants like sun, so try to plant where it’s bright for a bigger part of the day. Most of these flowers don’t want soggy soil, so make sure your pots or beds drain well. Got a fence or railing? Let honeysuckle or anise sage climb up it. Want to spread some color? Phlox and bee balm will happily fill in the space.

And if you want to be extra fancy, set out a shallow bowl of water, something with a little trickle or movement if you can manage it. They love a place to rinse off or take a quick drink between meals.

I never really thought of myself as a bird person, but after I saw my first hummingbird ever, I could understand the drill. These are marvelous, jaw-dropping creatures, colorful and astonishingly fast. To be able to witness their presence while they are just doing their thing, sipping nectar like we don’t even exist, is a very humbling and beautiful moment.

And it all starts with a few flowers.