Hummingbirds are known for visiting flowers for nectar, but do they ever take too much nectar from plants? A gardening expert explains.
Do Hummingbirds Deplete Nectar From Flowering Plants?
Published on Jun. 05, 2025
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Do Flowers Continuously Produce Nectar?
“How many times can a hummingbird drink from the same flower before depleting that flower’s nectar? Does a flower continuously produce nectar?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Kitty Doherty of Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Many flowers use nectar to attract pollinators, including hummingbirds, and they continue to produce nectar as long as their flowers are open. The nectar comes from glands called nectaries, and how often the nectaries refill depends on the plant.
Flowers with both male and female reproductive parts, also known as hermaphroditic or perfect, tend to produce nectar every day. Some flowers start as male and then become female over time, resulting in variations in nectar production each day.
Once the nectar is depleted the flower produces more, but it may take longer in some species than others.”
Hummingbird Favorites for Nectar From Plants
To keep hummingbirds coming back all summer long, it’s best to grow native plants known for nectar production. Many of these pollinator plants are also known for being easy to grow, and they’ll look great in the garden. To help out your hummingbirds and ensure they’ll have plentiful nectar, try these flowers:
- Purple coneflower
- Butterfly weed
- Eastern red columbine
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Cardinal flower
- Jewelweed
- Bee balm
- California fuchsia
- Golden currant
- Penstemon
Non-Native Hummingbird Nectar Flowers
In addition, while not all salvia plants are native to the United States, they remain a hummingbird favorite. Hummingbirds love their tube-shaped flowers and will happily visit many salvia varieties. Look for purple, blue, orange, or — of course — red salvia flowers to bring in your beloved flying jewels.
Red hot poker is another good non-native option that hummingbirds frequent.
Also mix in annual flowers such as cuphea, zinnia and nicotiana.
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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