Mexican heather is a popular ornamental plant known for its colorful flowers and ability to thrive in hot, dry climates. One of the benefits touted for this plant is that it attracts butterflies. But is this claim really true? Let’s take a closer look at whether Mexican heather lives up to its reputation as a butterfly-friendly plant.
What is Mexican Heather?
Mexican heather, scientifically known as Cuphea hyssopifolia, is a small evergreen shrub native to Mexico and parts of Central America. This versatile plant grows 1-3 feet tall and wide, making it well-suited for use in borders, containers, and mass plantings.
The oval leaves are small, growing up to 2 inches long, and mature to a dark green color. However, it’s the flowers that give Mexican heather its ornamental appeal. From summer through fall, this plant produces an abundance of tiny tubular flowers in colors ranging from purple and white to pink and orange. The non-stop flowers have a vaguely orchid-like appearance.
Mexican heather thrives in hot, humid climates. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. It can bloom year-round in frost-free regions. Mexican heather brings long-lasting color to gardens in USDA growing zones 9-11.
Do Butterflies Like Mexican Heather?
One of the main reasons gardeners add Mexican heather to their landscapes is for its purported ability to attract butterflies. The colorful, nectar-rich flowers seem like they would appeal to butterflies. But how accurate is this claim?
Overall, Mexican heather is considered a butterfly-friendly plant, though not a butterfly magnet on par with other pollinator powerhouses like lantana or verbena.
Their small tubular flowers make it challenging for butterflies to access the nectar. Butterflies like flowers they can easily land on and probe. However, some species with slender, curved mouthparts can more readily sip nectar from the Mexican heather blooms.
You may see some butterflies, albeit in small numbers, drinking nectar from your Mexican heather, particularly in peak flower season. The most common visitors include:
- Gulf fritillary
- Julia heliconian
- Zebra heliconian
- Queen butterfly
- Dainty sulphur
- Sleepy orange
In addition to nectar-seeking butterflies, Mexican heather may host some butterfly and moth caterpillars as a food source, including:
- Theona Checkerspot
- Marpesia petreus
- White-dotted prominent moth
So while Mexican heather flowers are not butterfly magnets, they do offer some modest appeal, especially to species with slender mouthparts that can access the tubular blooms. Planting Mexican heather in combination with other butterfly-favored flowers can increase its attractiveness.
Tips for Growing Mexican Heather
If you want to maximize the butterfly appeal of your Mexican heather, follow these simple tips:
- Plant in full sun. Butterflies are attracted to warmth and sunlight.
- Choose bright colors like purple or pink. Butterflies have good color vision.
- Let some plants go to seed. This provides food for caterpillars.
- Deadhead to prolong bloom. The more flowers, the more appeal.
- Group with other butterfly plants. Create a diverse nectar buffet.
- Provide water and minerals. Butterflies need more than just nectar.
- Avoid pesticides. Chemicals make plants less welcoming for butterflies.
Following these tips will help make your Mexican heather more butterfly friendly. Though it likely won’t attract flocks of butterflies on its own, incorporating this low-maintenance plant into a pollinator garden can add color and heightened appeal for local butterflies.
Other Plants That Attract Butterflies
While Mexican heather offers modest butterfly appeal, there are many other flowering plants better suited for attracting a diversity of butterflies. Consider incorporating some of these top butterfly plants:
| Plant | Details |
|---|---|
| Lantana | A heat-loving annual with clusters of brightly colored flowers. Attracts a variety of butterflies all season long. |
| Verbena | The compact varieties work well in containers. Tiny flowers clustered into colorful umbels. |
| Pentas | Star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, white and purple. Blooms spring through fall. |
| Salvia | A huge plant family with tubular flowers irresistible to butterflies. Choose native species when possible. |
| Zinnia | Prolific, daisy-like blooms on easy to grow annuals. Good nectar source. |
| Butterfly bush | As the name implies, this shrub is a butterfly favorite. Cone-shaped blooms. |
| Aster | One of the best late season nectar sources. Choose native species. |
| Milkweed | Vital larval host plant for Monarch butterflies. Plant native species. |
Incorporating a diverse blend of flowering plants with staggered bloom times will provide nectar for butterflies from spring through fall. Focus on native species whenever possible. Supplement these butterfly-friendly flowers with food and habitat plants.
Other Ways to Attract Butterflies
It’s not just flowers that bring butterflies to your garden. You can make your entire yard more butterfly friendly with these strategies:
- Provide host plants for caterpillars like milkweed.
- Include trees and shrubs that offer shelter and sunning spots.
- Allow flowering weeds like clover to grow.
- Set out shallow dishes with mineral-rich damp sand.
- Supply natural water sources like mud puddles.
- Let fallen fruit from trees decompose for food.
- Keep some areas untidy with leaf litter and brush piles.
- Avoid or limit pesticide use.
- Plant native nectar plants suited for your climate.
Creating a butterfly habitat complete with sun, shelter, water and food will bring more fluttering visitors to your yard.
Conclusion
While Mexican heather offers minor butterfly appeal compared to other flowers, it can still contribute to a pollinator-friendly landscape, particularly in hot climates. Its low maintenance nature and long flowering season are assets. Combining Mexican heather with plants offering more generous nectar rewards will maximize butterfly visitors. By also providing host plants, puddling spots and overwintering sites, your garden can become a butterfly bonanza sure to bring in more winged wonders.
