Activity
Wildlife-friendly plants to grow for moths
Moths are marvellous. They have fascinating markings, can be incredibly colourful and are tasty treats for bats and garden birds.
![A Garden Tiger Moth perched on a twig.](https://base-prod.rspb-prod.magnolia-platform.com/.imaging/focalpoint/_WIDTH_x_HEIGHT_/dam/jcr:91c4ec1d-d5d1-4532-aa8f-dd4174894aaf/Species-garden-tiger-moth-on-stick.jpg)
This activity can be completed as part of Schools Wild Challenge or Nature on your Doorstep and counts as the Helping Nature activity Planting for wildlife.
Instructions
Select a space
It can be in a border or in pots, you just need a spot where you have room to grow more.
If you have the space, you could grow a border filled with moth food, but you can also grow moth-friendly plants among your other flowers.
![A lone Elephant Hawkmoth perched on a green leaf.](https://base-prod.rspb-prod.magnolia-platform.com/.imaging/focalpoint/_WIDTH_x_HEIGHT_/dam/jcr:1725891d-135d-4c0f-98f9-bcaaec4442d7/1572511918-Species-Elephant-Hawkmoth-on-leaf.jpg.png)
Plants for moths
So what do moths eat? Here are some suggestions of what to plant.
For night-flying moths in summer:
- Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana alata) – for the flower bed
- Jasmine – a climber to grow up a trellis
- Native Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) – a climber to grow up a trellis or into a tree
- Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) – a perennial plant about 1m tall, with soft, lilac flowerheads that will form a bigger and bigger clump each year
- Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) – you can grow this flowering plant from seed each year
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) ‘Clotted cream’ – a highly scented plant to grow up a trellis
- Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) – bright yellow flowers will bring colour to your borders.
For night-flying moths in autumn:
- Ivy (Hedera helix) – make sure you let it get some sun and it will produce flowers that insects love
- Michaelmas Daisy (Aster novae-angliae) – purple daisy-like flowers for autumn colour
- Ice Plant (Sedum spectabile) – bright pink flowers provide an autumn buffet for moths and butterflies
Want a free wildlife-friendly gardening guide?
Our guide is full of ideas for welcoming nature into your outdoor space. Put a few of our tips into action and your garden will be buzzing with wildlife in no time.