How long until butterflies visit a new garden?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.New butterfly gardens often flourish with visitors in two to four weeks, if correctly designed. This estimate is based on three key factors: mature native plants are present, a host species is included, and the garden is situated in the right location. Established nursery specimens will hasten this process when compared to seeds. Butterflies detect a habitat through scent and visual cues from their neighboring flight paths.
Plant Maturity
- Use nursery plants instead of seeds for instant nectar
- Mature milkweed attracts egg-laying females immediately
- Flowers must be blooming upon installation
Host Plant Presence
- Include at least three milkweed plants for monarchs
- Add parsley clusters for swallowtails
- Female butterflies detect host chemicals from air currents
Garden Placement
- Position within 20 feet of butterfly flight paths
- South-facing locations attract more visitors
- Avoid areas with heavy pesticide drift
The first outdoor exploration is scheduled to take place in two weeks. Adult butterflies are constantly on the hunt for new food sources. Swallowtails visited my first garden on day twelve. Ensure there are nectar-rich flowers with bright colors. Put nectar-rich plants where butterflies typically fly naturally. Do not place them near areas treated with pesticides. These simple actions are very likely to increase exploratory movement in the early timing window.
Regular feeding visits are likely to increase by week three. At that point, you should see your butterflies coming back every day to take nectar. To facilitate this, it is helpful to ensure that there are fresh blooms by deadheading the flowers. You will also want to select varieties of nectar plants. Some good examples include Lantana and zinnias, which work quite well. Planting these together helps them see them all in one place. Now it is time to make sure your water stations are operational. The consistency of the food and water source helps build your visitation patterns.
By week six, you can expect to see eggs being laid if you have installed host plants in your intimate wildlife habitat. Female monarchs can detect the chemicals of milkweed from over 100 yards away! You will need to plant at least three mature milkweed plants. Parsley will similarly attract swallowtails. Be sure to check the underside of the leaves each day for tiny eggs. These will be small white dots, smaller than a pinhead. Your intimate wildlife habitat has become a breeding ground!
Caterpillars usually begin to emerge around week eight. When these larvae emerge from the eggs, they will eat nonstop. Ensure the host plants have ample foliage for the caterpillars to feed on. Do not prune at this stage. Absolutely do not use pesticides. Look closely and you may even observe some of the natural predators in disproportionately large numbers (they ride the margins of the plant). Your garden is now supporting full life cycles and many minor transformations from the eggs as well. You have officially established a habitat.
Start your native garden today with established native plants. Follow the recommendations for placement of milkweed and nectar sources. Install water stations promptly. Your regular care will bring butterflies quicker. Document the sightings of butterflies each week. Observing nature will be evident within days.
Read the full article: How to Create Butterfly Garden in 7 Easy Steps
