A Backyard Guide to Bee-Friendly Native Plants

by Cassidy Artavia

You don’t need to be a beekeeper to help bees. You don’t even need a yard. A single pot of native plants on a patio or balcony can offer food and shelter to pollinators—and that makes a difference. 

This guide is a little nudge to help you help them.

Why Bees Matter

Pollinators like bees help fertilize plants so they can produce fruits, vegetables, seeds, and even wildlife food sources. If you’ve ever enjoyed a juicy peach, a crisp cucumber, or fresh basil from the garden, you’ve got a bee to thank. Without pollinators, ecosystems—and grocery stores—start to fall apart.

The Bees You’re Helping

It’s not just about the iconic honeybee. Many types of native bees are essential to healthy ecosystems, and they each have unique preferences when it comes to plants.

  • Honeybees – Famous pollinators, often raised in hives.

  • Bumblebees – Big, fuzzy, and great at pollinating tomatoes and berries.

  • Ground Bees – Solitary and gentle, they burrow in loose soil.

  • Carpenter Bees – Pollinate open-faced flowers.

  • Native Wild Bees – Including mason, leafcutter, and sweat bees. Many are more efficient pollinators than honeybees.

What to Plant

The best plants for bees are often the ones already adapted to your region—native species that need less water, thrive without pesticides, and support local wildlife.

A few planting tips to keep in mind:

  • Choose native plants whenever possible—they’re best suited to your climate and local bee populations.

  • Plant a variety of flowers that bloom during different seasons (early, mid, and late) to provide nectar throughout the year.

  • Use well-draining soil, pay attention to light needs, and water appropriately for your zone.

Below are bee-friendly plant suggestions by U.S. region, specifically chosen for patios and small container gardens.

Southwest

(e.g., Central Texas, Arizona, New Mexico)

  • Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) – Butterfly and bee magnet, thrives in sun to part shade. Pots: 12–18 in.

  • Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) – Drought-tolerant, fragrant, compact bloomer. Pots: 10–12 in.

  • Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) – Colorful and long-blooming, loved by bees and hummingbirds. Pots: 14–18 in.

Note: Use well-draining soil; water sparingly once established.

Pacific Northwest

(e.g., Oregon, Washington, Northern California)

  • Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – Evergreen shrub with yellow spring flowers, attracts early-season bees. Pots: 18–24 in.

  • California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – Bright orange blooms bees can’t resist. Pots: 10–12 in.

  • Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) – Late-summer bloomer for local bees. Pots: 14–18 in.

Note: Ensure pots have good drainage; keep soil moist for Oregon Grape and Douglas Aster.

Midwest

(e.g., Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin)

  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Prairie flower, rich in nectar. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Aromatic and a pollinator favorite. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – Tall, licorice-scented blooms bees love. Pots: 12–16 in.

Note: Use well-draining soil; water regularly, keeping soil moist but not soggy.

Southeast

(e.g., Georgia, Florida, Carolinas, Kentucky, Tennessee)

  • Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) – Easy to grow, long bloom season, bright and cheerful. Pots: 10–14 in.

  • Bee Balm (Monarda punctata) – Also known as spotted horsemint, thrives in hot climates. Pots: 12–16 in.

  • Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) – Bold spiky blooms that bees and butterflies love. Pots: 14–18 in.

Note: Use well-draining soil; water moderately, especially in humid areas.

Northeast

(e.g., New York, Pennsylvania, New England, West Virginia)

  • Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) – Tall, showy, and irresistible to native bees. Pots: 18–24 in.

  • New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – Fall-blooming and pollinator-friendly. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – Spring bloomer for early bee support. Pots: 12–16 in.

Note: Choose dwarf cultivars for taller plants in small pots; keep soil moist.

Mountain West

(e.g., Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming)

  • Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) – Tubular blue blooms for long-tongued bees. Pots: 12–16 in.

  • Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) – Bold and colorful, blooms all season. Pots: 10–14 in.

  • Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) – Supports bees and Monarchs. Pots: 14–18 in., deep.

Note: Use well-draining, gravelly soil; water sparingly for Penstemon and Blanketflower.

Great Plains

(e.g., Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma)

  • Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) – Bright yellow, drought-tolerant, and bee-friendly. Pots: 12–16 in.

  • Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) – Purple flower spikes, thrives in dry soils. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) – Tall, late-season blooms. Pots: 16–20 in.

Note: Use well-draining soil; these plants thrive in sunny, open spaces.

Desert West

(e.g., Southern California, Nevada)

  • Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) – Bright yellow flowers, bee-attractive. Pots: 10–14 in.

  • Desert Penstemon (Penstemon parryi) – Pink tubular blooms for bees and hummingbirds. Pots: 12–16 in.

  • California Evening Primrose (Oenothera californica) – White-to-pink blooms open at dusk. Pots: 12–16 in.

Note: Use sandy, well-draining soil; water sparingly.

Alaska

  • Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) – Pink-purple spikes, blooms all summer. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Bluejoint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) – Native grass that supports pollinators. Pots: 12–16 in.

  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – White or pink flower clusters, tolerates cold. Pots: 12–16 in.

Note: Use pots with good drainage; protect from extreme winter cold.

Hawaii

  • ʻIlima (Sida fallax) – Yellow-orange flowers, key nectar source. Pots: 10–14 in.

  • ʻOhai (Sesbania tomentosa) – Red or yellow blooms, supports coastal soils. Pots: 14–18 in.

  • Hawaiian Hibiscus (Hibiscus clayii) – Compact shrub with red flowers. Pots: 16–20 in.

Note: Use well-draining soil; protect from salt spray and water regularly.

Bonus Tip: Build a Bee Water Station

Bees need hydration too—especially in hot climates. Here’s a simple way to help:

  • Place a shallow dish of water outside.

  • Add rocks or pebbles so bees can land safely.

  • Keep it shaded and refresh regularly.

This one gesture can help hundreds of pollinators stay cool and keep going.

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