9 Pollinator Plants For Container Gardens & Balconies

A vibrant purple butterfly bush growing in a large terracotta pot

There is a misconception that a big garden is required to attract pollinators, but this couldn't be further from the truth. As populations decline, pollinators need our help and additional resources in urban areas or tucked into every corner. Don't be discouraged; if you have a small garden, balcony, or window box, you can still attract and support pollinators with container-friendly plants! Here, we'll list some of our favorite pollinator plants for containers that provide an abundance of nectar and other resources for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Close-up of bright pink bee balm flowers with a bee foraging on one

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Of course, you expect bee balm (Monarda) to attract bees- but so few other plants have this much pollinator-attracting power in such a compact size! That's why bee balm is an excellent addition to your container garden. With most varieties reaching up to 2 feet tall, the vibrant, firework-like flowers can brighten up any porch or patio.
Light pink and fuchsia hibiscus flowers blooming on rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) features vibrant purple blooms that grace your garden in a narrow, compact habit, making it ideal for planting along the side of your house or standing tall in a container. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees won’t be able to stay away from the tropical-looking flowers and large stamen covered in pollen.

A potted purple butterfly bush with green foliage, next to other plant containers

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Small shrubs can have a significant impact on the landscape, particularly in container gardens. Case in point: butterfly bush (Buddleia). This showy shrub features large, sweetly scented flower panicles from mid-summer to early fall. Butterfly bush can be added to a small hedge or grow very well in containers with good drainage. Add to a balcony to treat the butterflies fluttering by!
Calamint covered in small, delicate white flowers

Calamint (Calamintha nepeta)

Calamint (Calamintha nepeta)has abundant confetti-like flowers and aromatic foliage that make a statement on any porch, patio, balcony, or small garden hedge. It's easy to see why calamint has become a garden staple destined to succeed. Bees and other pollinators gather, but the deer stay away, making it virtually maintenance-free. What's not to love? 

A dense patch of vibrant purple aster flowers

Aster (Symphyotrichum)

Add fall interest to your container garden by planting North American aster (Symphyotrichum). This native perennial adds unique late-season color in the form of vibrant, daisy-like flowers in colors such as pink, purple, and white during late summer and early fall. Nectar-rich aster is a great food source for late-season pollinators when other resources are often scarce. It also thrives in containers, provided it receives ample sunlight, and the pot has good drainage.

Clusters of pink milkweed flowers with green leaves

Milkweed (Asclepias)

You don't need a large garden or fancy tools to help support the Monarch butterfly. Just plant milkweed (Asclepias)! This native perennial is container-friendly and requires only about 3 feet of space, making it ideal for planting in smaller pots on your porch or patio. It's also the sole host plant for the Monarch butterfly, whose populations have declined steeply over the past five years. 
A border full of bright yellow Black-Eyed Susan flowers with dark centers

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Bring a burst of sunshine to your container garden with black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia). Bees love this exceptional native perennial, and it is a classic garden favorite known for its cheery yellow petals that surround a prominent, dark brown center. It also pairs beautifully with other sun-loving perennials for a dazzling combination that instantly brightens windowboxes.

Multiple spiky stalks of light purple hummingbird mint flowers, with a bee visible

Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)

Hummingbird mint (Agastache) is a native perennial with colorful flower spikes that look lovely when planted in a container. This long-blooming perennial awakens in spring and keeps blooming through the beginning of fall. Feed the bees on your balcony or add a pop of color to your patio; no matter its use, this sun-loving perennial will surely brighten your landscape.

Pink coneflowers with dark centers, one with a bee on it

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Another great addition to a container garden is coneflower (Echinacea)! Noteworthy as a cut flower, consider bringing the beauty indoors by incorporating several into your arrangement. As coneflowers gracefully fade, the seed heads step in, providing food for birds during the fall, allowing you to keep your containers outdoors and untouched well past their bloom time.

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