As a seasoned gardener with years of experience supporting pollinators, I'm planting bee-loved flowers this year to bolster declining bee populations. Bees are essential for our ecosystems and food supply, facing challenges like habitat loss.
Want to join the effort? Here's a comprehensive, expert-curated list of 100+ proven honey plants that attract bees for nectar and pollen. From annuals and perennials to climbers and creepers, these provide diverse nutrition year-round.
Diversity is key for a balanced bee diet. Sow a mix tailored to your climate for optimal results. See the full list below:
Flowering period: June, July, August, September
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: none
Flowering period: June
Interest in nectar: excellent
Interest in pollen: excellent
Flowering period: May, June, July, August, September
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: good
Flowering period: June, July, August
Interest in nectar: pretty good
Interest in pollen: none
Flowering period: April, May
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: excellent
Beyond attracting bees, artichokes offer health benefits like relieving rheumatism or treating urinary infections as herbal tea.
Flowering period: June, July, August, September, October
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: good
Flowering period: July, August
Interest in nectar: excellent
Interest in pollen: none
Basil repels pests and boasts underappreciated health and culinary uses, like in strawberry tartare.
Flowering period: May, June, July
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: none
Flowering period: May, June, July
Interest in nectar: excellent
Interest in pollen: good
Flowering period: April, May, June, July, August, September
Interest in nectar: excellent
Interest in pollen: pretty good
These are bulbs, but bees adore them.
Flowering period: May, June
Interest in nectar: excellent
Interest in pollen: good
Flowering period: March, April, May
Interest in nectar: good
Interest in pollen: none
Flowering period: February, March
Interest in nectar: pretty good
Interest in pollen: good
Now you know the top honey plants bees forage from. Select varieties suited to your region—Provence differs from Quebec or Brittany—for best success.
Stagger by season for year-round forage. Start with bee meadow seed mixes: vibrant, easy, nectar-rich for gardens, veggie patches, or balcony pots.
Buying honey helps, but planting sustains them long-term—as it does us. Pro tip: Provide shallow water sources for summer hydration.
