The hummingbirds’ buzzing wings, acrobatic aerial displays, and insatiable appetites for nectar make them a favorite among backyard enthusiasts. While sugar-water feeders are a common way to attract these tiny beauties, providing natural food sources is even better for their health and well-being. And the good news? You don’t need a sprawling garden to do it! Many native plants that hummingbirds adore can thrive beautifully in containers, making them perfect for patios, balconies, and even small urban spaces across the U.S.

Photo by Zdeněk Macháček

Growing wild foods in containers offers several advantages. It allows you to control soil conditions, manage watering more precisely, and even move plants to optimal sun exposure throughout the day. It also lets you bring the beauty of native flora and the magic of hummingbirds up close, right outside your window. 

1. Cardinal Flower ( Lobelia cardinalis ) – A Fiery Beacon

If there’s one plant that screams ‘hummingbird magnet’, it’s the Cardinal Flower. Its brilliant, fiery red tubular blooms are a beacon for these nectar-loving birds, evolving alongside hummingbirds to perfectly match their preferences. The long, tubular shape of the Cardinal Flower is tailor-made for a hummingbird’s long beak and tongue. Its vibrant red color is highly attractive to hummingbirds, who see red more intensely than other colors in the spectrum. The abundant nectar production ensures a rewarding visit for these high-energy birds.

Cardinal flowers prefer full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can prevent scorching. This plant is naturally found in moist to wet areas, so it needs consistently moist, rich, well-draining soil. A good potting mix amended with compost will work well. Consider a self-watering pot or a pot with a water reservoir to help maintain moisture.

Photo by Dulcey Lima

Choose a container at least 12-18 inches in diameter to allow for good root development and moisture retention. Deeper pots are preferable. Watering is crucial as they are thirsty plants and will wilt quickly if allowed to dry out—water daily, or even twice a day during hot spells. A balanced liquid fertilizer applied every 2-4 weeks during the growing season can promote robust blooming.

Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming, though its primary bloom period is usually late summer to early fall. In colder climates (USDA zones 3-9), it’s a perennial, returning year after year.

Tips for Container Success: Group your Cardinal Flower pot with other moisture-loving plants to create a humid microclimate. Mulching the top of the soil with shredded leaves or bark can also help retain moisture.

2. Trumpet Honeysuckle ( Lonicera sempervirens ) – A Climbing Gem

Unlike its invasive cousin, Japanese Honeysuckle, the native Trumpet Honeysuckle is a well-behaved vine that offers spectacular, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. It’s a fantastic choice for containers, especially when given a small trellis or support structure. The long, slender, trumpet-like flowers are perfectly designed for hummingbirds to access the nectar deep within. Its prolonged blooming period, often from spring through fall, provides a consistent food source for hummingbirds, especially during migration.

They like full sun to partial shade, and more sun generally means more blooms. Well-draining soil is best, but they are adaptable to various soil types. A standard potting mix with some added compost will suffice. Put them in a large pot, at least 18-24 inches in diameter and depth, which is ideal to accommodate their root system and provide stability for their climbing habit. Then, keep the soil consistently moist, especially during its active growing and blooming periods. A light application of balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season can boost flowering.

Photo by Robert So

These very attractive honeysuckles will grow, so provide a trellis, obelisk, or stakes for the vine to climb. You can weave the growing tendrils through the support as they grow. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. It’s a perennial vine (USDA zones 4-9).

Tips for Container Success: Position the container where the vine can climb a railing, a small wall trellis, or even a sturdy tomato cage. Its bright blooms will attract hummingbirds from afar.

3. Bee Balm ( Monarda didyma ) – A Burst of Color and Scent

Bee Balm, also known as Bergamot or Oswego Tea, is not just for bees! Its shaggy, tubular flowers, often in vibrant reds, pinks, purples, and whites, are a hit with hummingbirds too. Plus, its aromatic foliage adds a pleasant scent to your patio. The clusters of tubular flowers provide easily accessible nectar. While not as long as some other hummingbird flowers, the sheer quantity of blooms and their rich nectar content make Bee Balm a valuable food source.

Full sun is best for abundant flowering, though it can tolerate light shade. They prefer rich, moist, well-draining soil, and a good quality potting mix with added organic matter will work well. Choose a container at least 12-16 inches in diameter to give its spreading roots room. Then, keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew, which Bee Balm can be susceptible to. A light feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer in spring and mid-summer can promote vigorous growth and flowering.

Photo by Mike Lensing

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers and prevent self-seeding (though container growing naturally limits this). Divide the plant every 2-3 years if it becomes root-bound in the pot. It’s a perennial (USDA zones 4-9).

Tips for Container Success: Plant Bee Balm in a breathable container like terracotta to help prevent root rot, but remember terracotta dries out faster, so monitor moisture carefully. Consider planting a few different Monarda varieties for a longer bloom season and varied color.

4. Penstemon ( Penstemon species, e.g., P. digitalis or P. strictus ) – The Versatile Beauty

Penstemons, also known as Beardtongues, are a diverse genus with many native species across the U.S., offering a wide range of flower colors and forms. Many species have tubular flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds. For container growing, look for more compact or upright varieties. Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue) and Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain Penstemon) are good options. The tubular or bell-shaped flowers of many Penstemon species are perfectly suited for hummingbirds to probe for nectar. Their vibrant colors, including reds, purples, pinks, and whites, also draw hummingbirds in. Many species have a long blooming period.

Full sun is generally preferred for best flowering, though some species tolerate partial shade. Most Penstemons prefer well-draining soil. A gritty, sandy potting mix is ideal, as they don’t like wet feet. A pot at least 10-14 inches in diameter will be sufficient for most varieties. Water thoroughly but allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is a common cause of failure. Penstemons generally don’t require heavy fertilization. A light, balanced granular fertilizer in early spring or a diluted liquid feed during blooming is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote foliage over flowers.

Photo by Frank Cone

Deadhead spent flower stalks to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding. Many Penstemons are perennial (USDA zones vary by species, generally 3-9).

Tips for Container Success: Choose a Penstemon species native to your specific region if possible, as it will be best adapted to your local climate. Ensure excellent drainage by adding perlite or grit to your potting mix and using a pot with ample drainage holes.

5. Salvia ( Salvia species, e.g., Salvia splendens or Salvia coccinea ) – The Nectar Powerhouse

While many Salvia species are tropical or Mediterranean, several native and commonly cultivated Salvias are incredible hummingbird attractors and perform beautifully in containers. Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage) and Salvia coccinea (Texas Sage or Scarlet Sage, a different species from splendens) are excellent choices for their vibrant red flowers and extended bloom times. Salvias are a quintessential hummingbird plant. Their tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for a hummingbird’s beak, and they are incredibly prolific nectar producers. The intense reds and purples of many Salvia varieties are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

For this plant, full sun is essential for abundant flowering, and well-draining soil is key. A standard potting mix amended with some compost for fertility is ideal. Choose a container at least 10-12 inches in diameter for a single plant. Larger containers can accommodate multiple plants for a more dramatic display. Water regularly, especially during hot, dry periods. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season will promote continuous blooming.

Photo by Phillippe Don

Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage new flushes of blooms. Many Salvias are treated as annuals in colder climates, but some native perennial species (like Salvia greggii or Salvia leucantha in appropriate zones) can overwinter in containers with protection or be brought indoors. Salvia splendens and Salvia coccinea are often grown as annuals throughout the U.S.

Tips for Container Success: For a continuous show, plant a mix of Salvia varieties with different bloom times. Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

Photo by Jean Paul Montanaro

Final Thoughts

By incorporating these five incredible wild food sources into your container garden, you’re not just adding beauty to your outdoor space; you’re creating vital, natural sustenance for one of nature’s most enchanting creatures. Beyond the joy of watching hummingbirds flit and feed, you’ll be contributing to the health and biodiversity of your local ecosystem, one vibrant bloom at a time. So, grab some pots, good soil, and get ready to welcome these tiny, winged wonders to your very own patio hummingbird haven!