To attract Northern Cardinals, plant a mix that offers seeds, fruit, and dense cover. Sunflowers, elderberry, serviceberry, brambles, sumac, American holly, and wax myrtle are seven practical examples, but the best choices depend on your region and yard conditions.
Cardinals use food plants alongside shrubs and thickets for shelter and potential nesting sites. Treat these as habitat options, not a universal ranking or a guarantee that cardinals will visit.
Seven plants that can help attract cardinals
| Plant | Food or habitat value | Regional and seasonal notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) | Seedheads provide food | Leave mature heads standing where practical through fall and winter |
| Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) | Fruit; flowers attract insects | Choose a locally suitable species |
| Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) | Fruit and woody structure | Small tree or large shrub; fruiting season varies |
| Blackberry and other brambles (Rubus spp.) | Fruit, insect habitat, and dense cover | Check local suitability and spreading behavior |
| Sumac (Rhus spp.) | Fruit and cover | Select a species suited to your region and site |
| American holly (Ilex opaca) | Evergreen shelter | Regional suitability and growing conditions matter |
| Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) | Cover and potential nesting habitat | A regional example, not a fit for every climate |
1. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Mature sunflower heads provide seeds that cardinals and other birds can eat. The National Audubon Society describes seedheads as a natural feeder and recommends sunflowers as a bird-friendly plant. Choose a type that suits your region and available space.
Leave healthy, mature seedheads standing after flowering where practical. Avoid deadheading every seed-bearing plant; seedheads can remain useful through fall and winter.
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2. Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)
Elderberry offers fruit, and its flowers attract insects that can benefit birds foraging in spring. Audubon includes elderberries among plants that attract cardinals. Choose a species suited to your location and growing conditions rather than relying on the common name alone.
3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
Serviceberry is a fruiting small tree or large shrub that Audubon names as a plant for cardinals and related birds. Its woody growth can also contribute structure to a yard. Select a species appropriate for your region, sun exposure, soil, and moisture.
4. Blackberry and other brambles (Rubus spp.)
Brambles can provide fruit and insect habitat as well as dense, protective cover. Maryland Department of Natural Resources lists brambles among attractive garden plants for cardinals. Check local guidance before planting: species and growth habits vary, and a spreading thicket may not suit every yard.
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5. Sumac (Rhus spp.)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources includes sumac among attractive garden plants for cardinals. Choose a locally suitable species and consider its mature size, site needs, and growth habit. A recommendation for one region should not be assumed to fit every yard.
6. American holly (Ilex opaca)
American holly is an evergreen option for shelter. Maryland Department of Natural Resources identifies it as useful cover for cardinals. Check whether it is appropriate for your region and whether your yard offers suitable growing conditions.
7. Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Wax myrtle is a regional example of a shrub that can provide cover and potential nesting habitat. The University of Florida IFAS Extension discusses it as cover for cardinals. It is not a nationally applicable recommendation, so confirm local suitability before planting.
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Build a yard with food and cover
Cardinals eat seeds, fruit, and insects; the University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that insects are especially important during breeding season. Dense shrubs, thickets, and understory can supply cover and potential nesting sites. A useful planting combines food with habitat rather than relying on a single plant.
Consider plants at different heights, with seed-producing flowers, fruiting shrubs, and denser vegetation where appropriate. Leave sunflower and other perennial seedheads through fall and winter where practical. Keep cats indoors and limit pesticide use to help protect birds and the insects they forage on.
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Choose plants for your region
Native status and growing needs vary by location. Before buying, check a regional native-plant resource, local extension office, or reputable nursery. Audubon’s ZIP-code plant guidance can help identify locally suitable choices.
- Confirm regional fit: Check whether the exact species is appropriate for your area.
- Match the site: Consider sun exposure, soil moisture, and soil type.
- Plan for habitat: Pair food plants with dense shrubs or other suitable cover.
- Check growth habits: Make sure the plant’s eventual size and spread suit your yard.
Other regional candidates include cherry, dogwood, grape, mulberry, blueberry, hackberry, and eastern red cedar. Their suitability varies, so consult local guidance rather than treating them as universal recommendations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will these plants guarantee cardinals?
No. Planting can make a yard more useful to cardinals, but it cannot guarantee visits. Local range, habitat, and available resources all matter. A varied planting that combines food and cover is more useful than choosing a plant solely for its common name or appearance.
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FAQ
What plants attract cardinals?
Examples include sunflowers, elderberry, serviceberry, brambles, sumac, American holly, and wax myrtle. Choose plants based on local suitability and the habitat features your yard needs.
What should I plant to attract cardinals to my yard?
Combine seed- or fruit-producing plants with dense shrubs or thickets for cover. A mix of food and shelter is more useful than a single plant.
What berries do cardinals eat?
Cardinals eat fruit, and serviceberry and elderberry are among the fruiting plants named in the research. Which species will grow well depends on your region and site.
Should I leave sunflower heads after they bloom?
Where practical, leave healthy, mature seedheads standing so birds can forage on the seeds. Avoid deadheading all seed-bearing plants.
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