Native Conifers

Native pine, spruce, fir, and other evergreens provide a dark backdrop for the nighttime displays of fireflies and help them find partners more easily. Fireflies also lay their eggs in the fallen needles of conifer trees, and these sheltering spots are key for helping firefly larvae develop and thrive.

For best results, choose conifers that are native to your local growing region and consider planting them near pollen-rich flowers to provide shelter and food sources for fireflies and other pollinators.

Native Asters

Some fireflies are carnivores, but most are pollinators that feed on the nectar and pollen of native plants. Native asters are ideal for attracting fireflies as they have wide open flower faces that make it easy for fireflies to feed, and they bloom late in the season when many other plants have stopped flowering. Depending on where you live, you may want to explore common native aster varieties like the big-leaf aster, calico aster, or woodland aster.

Buttonbush

Another native plant option, buttonbush is a water-loving shrub that grows wild along streambanks and in other damp areas throughout the Eastern and Central United States. Named for their curiously spherical flowers, these woody plants provide both shelter and food for fireflies and other pollinators and make excellent foundational plants in mixed plantings2. If you have a naturally damp garden, try pairing buttonbush with other plants that love damp soil, such as blue flag irises and boneset.

Cardinal Flower

Like buttonbush, cardinal flowers love consistently moist soil. These native perennials grow wild in many areas throughout the United States and typically bloom in mid-summer. Fireflies flock to the bright blooms of cardinal flowers to feed on the plant’s nectar and pollen. Cardinal flowers are also highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Pairing them with early-flowering buttonbush and late-flowering asters will ensure your garden is always brimming with pollen regardless of when fireflies are active.

Toothache Plant

Once upon a time, the toothache plant (Acmella oleracea) was commonly used as a medicinal herb to make toothaches feel a bit better. Today, however, these plants are usually cultivated for their unique, red and yellow flowers, which are famously attractive to fireflies and appealing to the eye as well. Toothache plants are usually grown as annuals and replaced each spring, but they are hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, where they can be grown perennially.

Native Grasses

Just as with conifers, fireflies use native grasses as sheltering spots for their young and as backdrops for the nocturnal light shows. The best grasses for the job are the species that are native to your region, but sea oats, switchgrass, and Pennsylvania sedge are always popular picks.

Blazing Star

Also known as liatris, blazing star is yet another native plant that acts like a magnet for fireflies and other pollinators. Many types of blazing star have tall, pinkish-purple flowers that stand above the plant in stately spires and draw fireflies in. But blazing star blooms come in lots of fun shapes and sizes. These perennials pair beautifully with other native flowers like goldenrod, asters, and phlox.

Bee Balm

Scarlet or purple, all types of bee balm are beneficial to fireflies, as well as to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These members of the mint family grow quickly and produce lots of nectar and pollen for hungry fireflies, while their leaf litter also provides shelter to developing firefly larvae. If you’re worried about bee balm spreading beyond its allocated space, grow it in pots or raised beds.

Anise Hyssop

A top pick for mixed plantings and cottage gardens, anise hyssop is more than just a pretty face. This pollinator favorite provides important support for fireflies and other beneficial insects, while its scented leaves are naturally resistant to deer and rabbit damage. At around 2 to 4 feet tall, anise hyssop works well as a mid-height plant and is ideal for layering with taller perennials like bee balm, buttonbush, and native grasses.

Evening Primrose

With a name like “evening primrose,” it’s no surprise this plant appeals to fireflies! Flowering from June to September, its pale yellow flowers typically open at dusk and close in the morning – just in time for fireflies to begin feeding. You can grow these plants on their own, but they work particularly well in moon gardens with plants like moon flower, which also blooms after dark.