When creating a butterfly garden, the first and most important step is to plant flowers that attract them to your yard. Maybe even include some host plants for the caterpillars to feed on to keep them around in all stages. But that won’t be enough to bring them back time and time again. To have a really successful butterfly garden, you will also want to provide them with butterfly nectar and fresh water in a butterfly puddler. Butterflies drink by “puddling”. They sip at shallow puddles of water in mud or sand instead of landing in large open water areas. To make them feel welcome in your garden, you should include various features to supply all their needs. How wonderful to sit on your porch and watch dozens of butterflies not only glide by, but also linger in the haven you created for them. This project is thrifty and quick to put together, my favorite kind.
How to Make a Butterfly Puddler
To get started, you will need a large, shallow dish or container (use a container at least 18″ wide). I used an extra bird bath I had laying around and set it right in the middle of my garden in the shade.
Place sand to cover at least 3/4 of your container.
Add water until soil is just moistened, with shallow pockets of water. You could also use butterfly nectar or stale beer – butterflies are quite the beer drinkers.
Add several stones or sticks throughout the sand for butterflies to rest on.
Overripe fruit can also be placed in the puddler to offer another source of nectar.
Keep your sand just slightly moist and do not overfill, butterflies cannot land in open water.
Toni says
What kind of sand should be used?
Julia Wilison says
I found a Monarch butterfly I brought him into my house put him in a box with grass and a slice of orange I have ordered a butterfly house for it because it will not never be able to fly I would like to know how to make a paddling to put in the butterfly house for the butterfly. Julia Wilison
Debbie says
Can you use beach sand?
Dale says
Yes, they like the salt in the sand.
MaryEllen says
I just happened upon this article and your site, glad I did.
Shirley Peterson says
This behavior called puddling, and is mostly seen in male butterflies. That’s because males incorporate those extra salts and minerals into their sperm. When butterflies mate, the nutrients are transferred to the female through the spermatophore.
Susan Segur says
Must remember that you cannot use just any sand. It needs to be free of certain toxic fillers.