13 Underrated Pollinator Plants You Should Grow

We all know how great bee balm, milkweed, and goldenrod are for pollinator populations. These and many others show up in great numbers at local nurseries and on lists all over the internet. While there’s no denying the benefits of these great plants, I wanted to share some underrated pollinator plants.

Many of these plants fly under the radar, but they offer great ecological value. They support a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, flies, hummingbirds, beetles, and wasps, all of which are essential pollinators. Most of them are highly adaptable to most home gardens. 

Among these underrated pollinator plants, many are native to the United States. That makes them easy to care for, and in some cases, carefree. They are excellent sources of nectar and pollen, and some also offer great ornamental value. Let’s take a look!

Blue Mistflower 

	botanical name Conoclinium coelestinum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-10

This sweet little plant found its own way into my garden several years ago. It quickly made its mark as a favorite among the monarch butterflies. This small, native plant often gets overlooked when it comes to planting pollinator gardens. However, it offers rich ecological value.

Blue mistflower looks the way it sounds. In late summer, when many nectar sources are waning, this one is just getting started. Clusters of small, fluffy, blue-violet flowers endure until frost, offering an excellent food source. This is a vital time, as pollinators prepare to migrate or hibernate for winter.  

Golden Alexander

	botanical name Zizia aurea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Golden Alexander is a North American native perennial wildflower. It plays a crucial role in supporting early-season pollinators. Blooming in late spring, it produces flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers. The flowers would remind you of those of parsley or dill. They draw in a variety of native bees, flies, and beneficial wasps. 

This is also a host plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, adding to its ecological value. Golden Alexander grows well in moist to moderately dry soils, so it’s not picky. Its airy, upright form and fern-like foliage make it an attractive addition to pollinator gardens.  

Mountain Mint

	botanical name Pycnanthemum muticum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Mountain mint is one of the most beneficial yet underrated pollinator plants. It attracts a wide range of pollinators, with few plants matching it in terms of sheer pollinator activity. Its small, white to pale lavender flowers bloom in dense clusters from mid to late summer.

The flowers produce abundant nectar that draws in native bees, honeybees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, and even beneficial predatory insects. It also has aromatic, minty foliage that deters deer and adds a pleasant scent to the garden. It has a clumping habit that makes it easy to manage. Mountain mint tolerates various soil types, making it an easygoing addition to the garden.

Sneezeweed 

	botanical name Helenium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Sneezeweed is a late-blooming native perennial and an underrated pollinator plant.  It’s bloom time provides a critical nectar source for pollinators at the end of the growing season. The cheerful yellow or golden daisy-like flowers bloom from late summer into fall. They attract a wide variety of bees, butterflies, and hoverflies when few other plants are in flower. 

The dense clusters of pollen-rich blooms are especially valuable to native solitary bees. Migrating butterflies will be grateful for them as well. Despite its common name, sneezeweed does not cause allergies. It is insect-pollinated rather than wind-pollinated. It prefers moist soil and adds ornamental value with its abundance of bright blooms. 

Culver’s Root 

	botanical name Veronicastrum virginicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-7’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Culver’s root is a striking, native perennial that offers exceptional value to pollinators. Its tall, elegant spikes of tiny white to pale lavender flowers bloom in mid to late summer. They provide a rich nectar source during a critical time for bees, butterflies, and beneficial flies. 

The densely packed flowers allow multiple pollinators to feed at once. This underrated pollinator plant turns into a hub of activity in the garden. Native bumblebees love it, and its height and structure also create vertical visual interest. 

Sweet Alyssum 

	botanical name Lobularia maritimum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-8”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sweet alyssum is common enough for its ornamental use. In terms of its value to pollinators, I think it’s underrated. This delicate, low-growing annual quietly plays a big role in supporting pollinators. It’s especially important for smaller beneficial insects. 

The clusters of tiny white, pink, or purple flowers bloom abundantly from spring through fall. Its long bloom season offers a steady supply of nectar to native bees, hoverflies, and wasps. These tiny pollinators are essential for natural pest control and plant reproduction. Sweet alyssum provides them with easily accessible food throughout the season. 

Clary Sage 

	botanical name Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Salvia is well-known for its ecological value, but clary sage is an underrated species that is great for pollinators. This biennial or perennial herb offers tons of beauty and significant value. It blooms in early to mid-summer, and produces tall spikes of showy bracts surrounding small nectar-rich flowers. 

The blooms attract a variety of pollinators, especially bumblebees and carpenter bees. Its bold structure and aromatic foliage make it a standout in herb gardens and borders. Clary sage thrives in well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought once established. Its long bloom time and strong pollinator appeal make it a good addition to gardens focused on ecological health.

Borage 

	botanical name Borago officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Borage is an annual herb that is exceptionally beneficial to pollinators. Its vivid star-shaped blue flowers bloom continuously from late spring through summer. This underrated pollinator plant is rich in nectar. It’s a favorite of honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees. 

Borage is one of the best plants for attracting pollinators in vegetable gardens. It makes an excellent companion plant, helping to improve pollination of nearby crops. It thrives in poor to average soil, reseeds readily, and requires minimal care. Borage also has edible flowers and leaves, adding a special garnish to cold dishes and charcuterie boards.

Fennel 

	botanical name Foeniculum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Fennel is a tall, aromatic herb that serves as a culinary staple. It’s also a valuable and underrated pollinator plant. Its umbrella-shaped clusters of tiny, yellow flowers bloom in mid-to-late summer. They produce abundant nectar and pollen that attract a wide range of beneficial insects. 

Fennel is particularly important as a host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Add this to its ecological appeal, and it’s a perfect addition to the garden. Fennel can be aggressive in some regions, and the roots are allelopathic. It’s best to grow it on its own or in a container, as it can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.

Tall Thistle

	botanical name Cirsium altissimum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Tall thistle is a North American native wildflower that is often misunderstood due to its thorny relatives. It is a highly valuable and underrated pollinator plant. Unlike invasive thistle species, tall thistle is non-aggressive and supports a rich diversity of wildlife. Its tall stems produce large, soft lavender-pink flower heads that bloom from mid- to late summer.

Its bloom time offers abundant nectar and pollen to bumblebees, native bees, and butterflies. It’s especially valuable to migrating monarchs. Goldfinches also feed on its seeds. Tall thistle thrives in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. Despite its reputation as a weed, it has great ecological value. 

Joe-Pye Weed 

	botanical name Eutrochium maculatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-7’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Joe-Pye weed is a tall North American native perennial. It stands out as a powerhouse for pollinators. The large, dome-shaped clusters of pink to mauve flowers bloom from mid to late summer. They produce copious amounts of nectar that attract a wide array of butterflies. You’ll see monarchs, swallowtails, and fritillaries, as well as all kinds of bees visiting Joe-Pye. 

The massive number of blooms and their long-lasting nature make Joe Pye weed an ideal late-season nectar source. It prefers moist soil, but is otherwise adaptable. Despite its impressive ecological value, Joe Pye weed remains an underrated pollinator plant. 

Lacy Phacelia

	botanical name Phacelia tanacetifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Lacy phacelia is an exceptional yet underrated pollinator plant. It’s an annual that is native to the southwestern United States. It produces delicate, fern-like foliage and curled clusters of lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers. They bloom in succession, providing a continuous source of nectar and pollen. 

This plant is a favorite of honeybees and bumblebees, but also supports native bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. Lacy phacelia is often used as a cover crop due to its soil-building properties. Fast-growing and adaptable to various soils, it reseeds readily. Its high nectar production makes it one of the best plants for attracting a diversity of beneficial insects. 

Mexican Sunflower 

	botanical name Tithonia rotundifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Mexican sunflower is a heat-loving annual that attracts a wide range of pollinators. It blooms throughout the summer and into fall. Its vibrant orange, daisy-like flowers sit atop tall, sturdy stems and produce generous amounts of nectar. These are especially attractive to monarchs, swallowtails, and other butterflies. Bumblebees, honeybees, and hummingbirds love them, too.