You don’t need a big yard to enjoy hummingbirds—a simple balcony, patio, porch, or rooftop garden with the right potted plants can attract them just as effectively as large gardens. Hummingbirds are drawn to bright colors, tubular flowers, and nectar-rich blooms that can easily be grown in containers.
Below is a complete list of the best potted plants that attract hummingbirds, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, and vines that thrive in pots.
Why Potted Plants Work for Hummingbirds
Container plants are ideal because:
- They bring flowers closer to hummingbird flight paths
- You can move them to sunny spots, maximizing blooms
- They allow color combinations hummingbirds can’t resist
- Frequent watering improves nectar production
- You can create hummingbird “feeding stations” anywhere
The trick is choosing species that bloom heavily in containers and produce lots of nectar.
Best Potted Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
These are the top-performing plants for pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, or porch containers.
Best Annual Flowers for Pots
Annuals bloom nonstop, making them some of the best hummingbird plants for containers.
1. Salvia (Annual Varieties)
- Red, purple, pink, coral, blue
- Extremely high nectar output
- Thrives in pots with full sun
Popular varieties:
- Salvia splendens
- Salvia coccinea
2. Petunias
- Masses of trumpet-shaped flowers
- Easy to grow in pots or hanging baskets
- Hummingbirds visit daily
Choose bright pinks and reds for maximum attraction.
3. Fuchsia (Hanging Basket Champion)
- Shade-loving
- Dangling, tubular flowers perfect for hummingbirds
- Blooms continuously
Ideal for porches, patios, and hanging displays.
4. Zinnias (Dwarf Varieties)
- Great for container gardens
- Long-lasting, colorful blooms
- Excellent nectar source
5. Cuphea (Cigar Plant / Firecracker Plant)
- One of the best annual hummingbird plants
- Tiny tubular flowers bloom nonstop
- Thrives in heat
Perfect for pots or window boxes.
6. Impatiens (Shade Annual)
Hummingbirds love the nectar-rich blooms, especially red and rose varieties.
7. Lantana (Annual in Cold Climates)
- Bright clusters of nectar-rich flowers
- Heat-loving and drought-tolerant
- Works well in large containers
Best Perennial Flowers for Pots
These come back year after year and bloom well in containers.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Tubular red/pink blooms
- Strong hummingbird magnet
- Compact varieties like “Balmy” or “Pardon My Purple” fit pots
2. Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)
- Drought tolerant
- Blooms for months
- Thrives in containers with good drainage
Great in warm climates and sunny balconies.
3. Penstemon
- Upright spikes of tubular flowers
- Loved by hummingbirds
- Perfect for tall decorative pots
4. Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Spring blooming
- Performs well in partially shaded containers
5. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
- Attractive foliage + tiny nectar-rich flowers
- Hummingbirds love the blooms
- Ideal for shade or partial shade pots
Best Shrubs for Containers (Compact Hummingbird Magnets)
Many flowering shrubs grow beautifully in pots and offer large nectar supplies.
1. Butterfly Bush (Dwarf Varieties)
Look for compact forms:
- “Pugster” series
- “Lo & Behold” series
These stay small but bloom heavily.
2. Flowering Currant
- Excellent early-spring nectar
- Works well in large pots
- Attracts migrating hummingbirds
3. Dwarf Weigela
- Red and pink varieties draw hummingbirds
- Many compact forms for containers
4. Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
- Brush-like red flowers packed with nectar
- Grows well in tubs or large containers
Best Vines for Containers
You can grow vines in pots and let them climb trellises, rails, and pergolas.
1. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Non-invasive native vine
- Perfect tube-shaped flowers for hummingbirds
- Great for a balcony trellis
2. Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
- Fern-like foliage
- Scarlet star-shaped flowers
- Fast-growing and good in pots
3. Scarlet Runner Bean
- Edible + hummingbird plant
- Constant red flowers ideal for patios
4. Passionflower Vine
- Stunning exotic blooms
- Hummingbirds visit frequently
- Grows well in deep containers
Best Hanging Basket Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
If you want hummingbirds up close, hanging baskets are unbeatable.
Top choices:
- Fuchsia
- Petunia
- Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
- Cuphea
- Impatiens
- Ivy geranium
- Nasturtiums (trailing types)
Position baskets near windows, patios, or porches for perfect viewing.
Succulents & Unusual Container Plants Hummingbirds Love
1. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
- Drought tolerant
- Long wands of tubular red flowers
- Excellent for warm, dry climates
2. Aloe (Flowering Species)
Hummingbirds love the orange tube-like blooms.
How to Arrange Potted Plants to Bring More Hummingbirds
1. Create a Hummingbird Feeding Station
Group 5–7 pots together using:
- Red blooms
- Mixed heights
- Constantly blooming species
This acts like a nectar buffet.
2. Use Bright Colors
Place red pots or red ceramic containers to boost attraction.
3. Position Plants at Different Heights
Hummingbirds prefer vertical layers:
- Hanging baskets
- Tabletop pots
- Floor-standing containers
- Trellised vines
4. Keep Pots in Full Sun (When Possible)
More sun = more blooms = more nectar.
5. Add a Water Source
A small mister or fountain bowl on your patio can draw hummingbirds instantly.
6. Combine Plants With Feeders
Place a feeder among your pots using the classic recipe:
- 1 part sugar
- 4 parts water
(no red dye!)
Best Potted Plants for Small Spaces
Even tiny balconies can attract hummingbirds. Try:
- Cuphea
- Mini salvia
- Fuchsia
- Lantana
- Bee balm dwarf series
- Hanging petunia baskets
- Coral bells
- Small trellised cypress vine
Top 20 Potted Plants for Hummingbirds (Quick List)
- Cuphea (Cigar Plant)
- Salvia (annual or perennial)
- Petunia
- Fuchsia
- Zinnia (dwarf types)
- Lantana
- Impatiens
- Bee Balm (compact series)
- Agastache
- Penstemon
- Coral Bells
- Columbine
- Butterfly Bush (dwarf)
- Flowering Currant
- Weigela (dwarf)
- Bottlebrush (small varieties)
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Cypress Vine
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Passionflower
Conclusion
Potted plants can attract hummingbirds just as effectively as full gardens. With the right mix of salvias, cuphea, fuchsia, petunias, lantana, and hummingbird-friendly shrubs or vines, you can turn any space—balcony, patio, porch, or rooftop—into a hummingbird haven.
Containers also let you control soil, light, and placement, ensuring your plants bloom heavily and provide nectar all season long.
Hi, There and Welcome to BirdsNews.com, is here to help you learn and care about pet birds. and this blog is a journal of everything I’ve learned.