12 Best Vines to Attract Hummingbirds – Easy to Grow & Beautiful

Planting vines for hummingbirds will help these birds find plenty of nectar-filled flowers. Many easy-to-care-for annual and perennial vines offer varieties of flowers that reliably attract hummingbirds. Whether you only have room for a small vine or you want to grow a large, wide-ranging vine, this list will have something for you. Plus, by choosing vines for hummingbirds that have different bloom times, you can ensure that the birds keep coming all season long. Get tips from bird experts and landscape designers to help you narrow down your choices.

Types of Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Many flowering plants attract hummingbirds, but vines offer some specific benefits. “Vinyl plants are a great way to get more flowers into your garden to attract hummingbirds without taking up extra space,” says Charles Van Rees, a conservationist, naturalist, and founder of Glow in Nature. “It also allows hummingbirds to feed more safely, because the vines are higher up, allowing hummingbirds to forage at higher altitudes than ground predators.”

Flower color also plays a role in whether a flowering plant is attractive to hummingbirds. While red flowers are typically associated with hummingbird favorites, there’s a lot more to what attracts hummingbirds, including the type of hummingbird and the amount of nectar.

“While red is generally a safe bet for attracting hummingbirds, having a variety of flower colors in your garden can increase your chances of attracting a wider range of hummingbirds,” explains Amy Howes, principal and owner of Eden Garden Design and owner of Barton Springs Nursery.

The shape of the flower is also impressive. “Hummingbirds have long, thin beaks, so they’re particularly attracted to tubular flowers that allow them to reach the nectar with their long tongues,” says Howes.

Experts recommend choosing native vines to attract hummingbirds over non-native species. “Native species are more likely to attract hummingbirds because they are adapted to recognize these familiar plants in the wild,” explains Van Rees. In addition, native plants are better adapted to your environment and climate, and they are good food sources for local wildlife, pollinators, and hummingbirds.

01. Clematis

An easy-to-grow clematis perennial, it comes in single and double flowers. Clematis flowers range in color from blue, purple, white, pink, and more. Although the purple and blue colors of the flowers aren’t what you’d expect hummingbirds to be drawn to, the birds do enjoy the nectar of the clematis plant.

02. Canary Creeper

The canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum), a relative of the nasturtium, is native to South America and thrives in warm climates. Although it’s not native to the United States, hummingbirds feed on its nectar. “The canary creeper has beautiful yellow flowers but prefers warmth year-round,” says Anna Oller, a local horticulturist and owner of Bright Lane Gardens. It’s a perennial that keeps winter temperatures above freezing, but is grown as an annual elsewhere.

03. Cross Vine

Want a plant that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies? Consider the Cross Vine. With its dense, evergreen foliage, the Cross Vine grows in the southeastern United States. “Crossvine is one of my favorite Texas plants, and it’s a fast-growing plant that produces trumpet-shaped orange flowers [as well as] deep red or yellow flowers,” says Hoffs.

04. Coral Honeysuckle

Native to the Southeast, coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is an excellent climber for hummingbirds. Coral honeysuckle is also known as trumpet honeysuckle because of its tubular red flowers.

05. Hyacinth Bean Vine

Hyacinth Bean Vine (Lablab purpureus) are not native to the United States; they are native to various tropical regions of the African continent. However, hummingbirds feed on the flowers of this vine, which come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and lilac. These plants grow well in warm tropical climates and do not survive frost, but can be grown as annuals in colder climates. The buds and flowers are edible, but avoid eating the ripe, dried pods, which are poisonous.

06. Cypress

Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) is a fast-growing tropical plant native to the northern tropics of Central America, Mexico, and South America. The cypress has green, fern-like leaves and striking tubular red flowers. Some varieties offer pink or white flowers. “Hummingbirds do come to this vine, however, its flowers are fewer and more abundant than those on other vines,” says Oller.

07. Morning Glory

A fast-growing annual, morning glory (Ipomea purpurea) can climb any structure it’s planted next to. “The common morning glory has blue flowers, but the flower shape is bell-shaped, which is what hummingbirds look for,” says Oller. “Morning glory only blooms in the morning, which is ideal for hummingbirds because they feed in the morning and then in the evening, usually an hour before sunset.”

08. Mandevilla

Mandevilla (Mandevilla boliviensis) is another non-native species that grows in warm climates and attracts hummingbirds. The slender tubular flowers come in pink, red and white, and some varieties offer a mix of colors. “Mandevilla plants are often grown in containers with trellises as annuals,” says Oller. Be aware that these plants are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

09. Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora spp.), also known as passionflower, is native to the southeastern United States. “Passionflowers have unique, distinctive purple flowers when they bloom, and they have a very tropical appearance,” says Howes. “Some varieties, like the blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) or the red passionflower (Passiflora coccinea), attract hummingbirds with their nectar.”

10. Orange Honeysuckle

Native to the Northwest, the orange honeysuckle (Lonicera siliosa) is a perennial climber that grows best in cooler climates. These tubular flowers come in bright reds and oranges, as well as yellows and whites. Hummingbirds will be drawn to your garden when these flowers bloom.

11. Wisteria

Wisteria is a popular perennial that is often grown on porches and lawns where it produces clusters of fragrant purple flowers. The flowers release a scent that helps attract hummingbirds. The best type of wisteria for attracting hummingbirds is American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens).

12. Trumpet Wine

Trumpet wine (Campus radicans) is also known as trumpet creeperand has bright green leaves and vibrant tubular flowers in red, orange and even yellow that bloom in midsummer. This hardy vine, native to the southeastern United States, is often called hummingbird vine because it attracts hummingbirds. “They love this bright orange vine with the big bell-shaped flowers,” says Oller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hummingbirds like to nest on vines?

A hummingbird’s preferred nesting area depends on the species. Hummingbirds typically build their nests in shrubs and trees.

What vines attract hummingbirds and butterflies?

Butterflies, like hummingbirds, are attracted to flowers that have lots of nectar. But they also look for host plants that caterpillars thrive on. Some overlapping flowers that both pollinators love are trumpet flower, crucifer flower, passion flower, and coral honeysuckle.

Where is the best place to plant vines to attract hummingbirds?

Choosing the right location for your plant is crucial to its success. The best place to plant a vine to attract hummingbirds is one where the vine will receive plenty of sunlight and a preferred type of soil. Make sure that hummingbirds have easy access to the vines and their flowers.