There’s something magical about a yard filled with the soft glow of fireflies on warm summer nights. These gentle insects are more than just a lovely sight. They also play an important role in local ecosystems. By planting certain native species, you can create a welcoming environment that supports fireflies through every stage of their life. The plants in this list are not only beautiful and low maintenance, but they also provide the food, moisture, and shelter that fireflies need to thrive.
1. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a native wildflower that blooms in late summer and fall, offering bright yellow flowers that attract a wide range of pollinators. Its dense clusters provide valuable cover for adult fireflies during the day while supporting the overall insect population that firefly larvae depend on. Goldenrod also helps maintain healthy soil and can thrive in a variety of sunny garden settings. Because it blooms later in the season, it extends nectar availability into fall. This makes it a reliable choice for a firefly-friendly yard.
2. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot, also known as bee balm, is a native perennial with lavender-pink blooms that draw pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. These insects serve as part of the food web that supports firefly larvae. The plant grows well in full sun or partial shade and adapts to many soil types. Its open flower clusters add color and texture while creating safe resting spots for fireflies. Wild bergamot also helps promote biodiversity, which is key to a healthy garden ecosystem.
3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Joe-Pye weed is a tall, moisture-loving native plant that produces large, fluffy pink flower heads. These blooms are especially attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees, which indirectly support firefly populations. Its height and dense foliage offer daytime shelter for adult fireflies and help keep soil conditions cool and moist. Joe-Pye weed thrives in low-lying areas or near water features, making it ideal for damp corners of the yard where fireflies are often found.
4. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp milkweed is a native milkweed variety that prefers moist soils and full sun. It produces clusters of pink flowers in summer that attract beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies. Fireflies benefit from the insect activity and shaded conditions this plant helps create. Unlike common milkweed, swamp milkweed is more compact and well-suited for rain gardens or the edges of ponds. Its ability to hold moisture makes it a valuable choice for supporting firefly habitats.
5. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Common milkweed is known for its role in supporting monarch butterflies, but it also helps fireflies thrive. The plant grows tall and has large, fragrant pink blooms that attract a variety of insects. Its broad leaves and sturdy stems offer shelter for adult fireflies, while its deep roots improve soil health. This milkweed is hardy and spreads easily, making it a good choice for naturalized areas where fireflies are likely to be active.
6. Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Culver's root features tall spikes of white flowers that rise above lance-shaped leaves in midsummer. This native perennial prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate partial shade, both of which suit firefly habitats. Its upright growth provides vertical structure that fireflies use for perching and signaling. Culver's root also attracts pollinators, supporting a diverse garden environment that benefits the firefly life cycle.
7. Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)
Meadowsweet is a shrub-like native plant that thrives in moist soils and produces fluffy white flower clusters in summer. It attracts a wide range of insects and provides valuable cover at the base of the garden. The plant's preference for wet habitats mirrors the moist environments firefly larvae need to develop. With its dense foliage and flower timing, meadowsweet adds texture and ecological balance to a firefly-friendly garden.
8. Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Blue vervain is a tall, branching wildflower with narrow spikes of small, purple-blue blooms. It thrives in wet meadows and rain gardens, where fireflies often lay eggs. This plant blooms during the height of summer and supports a strong insect population. Its structure creates sheltered areas among the stems, offering adult fireflies a safe space to rest and display their glowing lights. Blue vervain is also helpful for stabilizing moist soils.
9. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Buttonbush is a native shrub often found near wetlands and along pond edges. It produces spherical white flower clusters that attract bees, butterflies, and other insects fireflies rely on for a balanced habitat. Its branches offer shaded nooks for adult fireflies to hide during the day. Because it prefers moist conditions, buttonbush is perfect for areas near water where fireflies naturally gather and breed.
10. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening primrose is a biennial plant with yellow flowers that open at dusk, perfectly timed with firefly activity. It prefers open fields and sunny spots with well-drained soil. The plant supports night-flying pollinators like moths, which share space with fireflies and contribute to a thriving nighttime garden. Its growth habit creates an open canopy that does not shade out ground-dwelling larvae, making it a helpful part of a balanced yard habitat.
11. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
New England aster blooms in late summer and early fall, with vibrant purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies. This late-season bloom extends the availability of nectar and keeps your garden lively into the cooler months. Its tall, bushy form provides cover for fireflies and helps maintain a layered landscape. New England aster grows well in sunny spots and tolerates a variety of soils, making it a dependable option for supporting biodiversity.
12. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan is a cheerful wildflower with bright yellow petals and dark centers. It grows easily in most garden soils and brings a splash of color from summer through early fall. The flowers attract pollinators that enrich the ecosystem and indirectly support firefly populations. This plant's low-maintenance nature and ability to naturalize make it a favorite in wildlife-friendly yards. Its upright stems also give fireflies places to land and rest.
13. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Blazing star is known for its tall, bottlebrush-like spikes of purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. This native perennial prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It draws in a wide array of pollinators, increasing the insect diversity in your garden. The upright growth creates vertical structure that fireflies can use for mating displays. Its compact shape also fits well in borders or native plant beds.
14. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Boneset is a moisture-loving plant with clusters of white flowers that bloom in late summer. It grows well near streams or in rain gardens and attracts insects that are important to the food chain firefly larvae rely on. The plant's height and branching form provide shelter for adult fireflies. Boneset thrives in low-lying, damp areas, making it a useful addition to parts of your yard that naturally collect water.
15. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal flower is a native perennial with tall spikes of brilliant red blooms that appear in mid to late summer. It grows best in moist, partly shaded areas like streambanks, rain gardens, or low woodlands. The plant supports hummingbirds and insects, increasing biodiversity in ways that benefit fireflies. Its preference for damp, undisturbed soils makes it ideal for areas where fireflies lay eggs and larvae develop. The vibrant flowers also add a bold splash of color to the garden without overshadowing the delicate glow of fireflies nearby.
16. Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Wild blue phlox is a shade-loving plant with soft purple-blue flowers that bloom in spring. It spreads as a groundcover in woodland gardens and helps create the cool, moist environment fireflies prefer. The plant attracts early-season pollinators and keeps the understory healthy. Its spreading habit also adds texture and ground-level cover for larvae development. Wild blue phlox is ideal for naturalizing in wooded garden areas.
17. Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)
Spotted beebalm is a unique member of the mint family with stacked flower heads that feature pale petals and purple spots. It prefers sandy soils and full sun but can adapt to various conditions. Its blooms attract beneficial insects and create a vibrant space for fireflies to roam. The plant's fragrance and pollinator appeal make it an excellent choice for firefly-friendly gardens, especially in drier zones.
18. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflower is a well-known native perennial with large, daisy-like flowers in shades of purple and orange. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in full sun. The blooms support bees and butterflies, and the seed heads provide food for birds in fall. Its sturdy stems offer resting spots for fireflies, while its deep roots improve soil health. Coneflowers are a great choice for low-maintenance, firefly-friendly landscaping.
19. Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)
Wild senna is a tall, shrubby native plant with bright yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. It attracts a variety of insects and adds vertical structure to the garden. The plant grows best in full sun and moist soils, providing the right conditions for fireflies and their larvae. Its foliage is dense enough to offer cover, while its blooms help diversify the pollinator population. Wild senna works well in naturalized or meadow settings.
20. Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Sensitive fern grows in moist, shaded environments and spreads by underground rhizomes. Its broad, bright green fronds provide ground cover that helps retain soil moisture. This type of cover is ideal for firefly larvae that live close to the ground. The plant is easy to grow and tolerates seasonal flooding, making it a good option for wet areas of the yard. Sensitive fern supports the cooler, humid spaces fireflies prefer.
21. Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Cinnamon fern is a large, dramatic fern that thrives in shady, damp areas. It produces tall, cinnamon-colored fertile fronds in spring, which give the plant its name. The thick foliage helps create the kind of low-light, moist habitat fireflies need. It also offers shelter from predators and harsh sun. This fern is excellent for woodland gardens and along the edges of streams or ponds.
22. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Jewelweed is an annual plant with orange, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from midsummer to fall. It thrives in wet, shady areas and is often found near streams and low spots in the garden. The plant attracts hummingbirds and insects while helping maintain moist, cool soil conditions. Jewelweed is also known for its soothing sap and ability to spread in natural settings. Its thick growth offers cover for fireflies during daylight hours.
23. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a hardy perennial with flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, or pink. It blooms throughout summer and attracts a wide range of insects. Yarrow grows well in sunny areas with well-drained soil and needs little care. Its foliage provides ground-level structure that supports firefly larvae. Though more drought-tolerant than some other plants, yarrow adds valuable variety to a habitat garden.
24. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Wild strawberry is a low-growing groundcover with small white flowers and sweet red fruits. It spreads quickly and forms a soft mat that holds moisture and offers habitat for insects. The flowers support spring pollinators, while the foliage creates a cool, shaded area where fireflies can rest. This plant is perfect for borders, under taller perennials, or in areas where you want to maintain a natural look.
25. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is a native warm-season grass that grows in tall, airy clumps. It thrives in full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soils. The plant provides vertical structure for fireflies to perch on and hide within. Its root system improves soil health and prevents erosion, which benefits the entire garden. Switchgrass also remains standing into winter, offering off-season shelter for insects and other small wildlife.
Let Nature Light Up the Night
Creating a space where fireflies feel at home is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy a summer yard. By choosing native plants that provide moisture, shelter, and food, you help support the entire life cycle of these fascinating insects. Whether your garden is sunny, shady, dry, or damp, there are plants that can bring fireflies closer and keep their soft glow dancing through the season. A little planning goes a long way in keeping the magic alive outdoors.