Hummingbirds are among the most dynamic and fascinating avian visitors to any garden, acting as important pollinators that fuel their intense metabolism with flower nectar. Many gardeners seek to attract these aerial acrobats and turn to popular, low-maintenance plants like the succulent Kalanchoe to diversify their plantings. This genus, known for its vibrant, clustered blooms and drought tolerance, is a common sight in sunny landscape designs. The central question for gardeners is whether this popular succulent provides a sufficient or preferred food source for the energy-demanding hummingbird.
Understanding the Hummingbird’s Floral Preference Profile
Hummingbirds exhibit a clear preference for flowers that meet their specialized feeding biology, a relationship known as ornithophily. The physical shape of the flower, specifically the corolla, is a primary factor in their selection process. The ideal flower possesses a long, tubular shape that prevents access by many insects and perfectly accommodates the bird’s slender bill and long tongue. This morphological matching between bill and corolla length allows for the most efficient nectar extraction.
Color also plays a significant role, as hummingbirds have a heightened sensitivity to the red and orange end of the visual spectrum. These bright colors act as visual cues, helping the birds quickly locate potential food sources from a distance. However, while red is commonly associated with hummingbird flowers, they will readily visit blooms of any color if the nectar reward is substantial.
The nutritional quality of the nectar is the final determining factor, and hummingbirds seek a high-energy reward to sustain their rapid wingbeats. Their preferred nectar is sucrose-rich, typically containing a sugar concentration between 13% and 28%. Flowers that are specialized for hummingbird pollination often produce this sucrose-dominant nectar, which is a more concentrated energy source compared to the hexose-rich nectar favored by many insects.
Do Hummingbirds Feed on Kalanchoe?
The common ornamental Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is generally not considered a primary or preferred nectar source for hummingbirds. The flower morphology of most cultivated Kalanchoe varieties works against the hummingbird’s specialized feeding structure. Most blooms are shallow, open, and clustered, contrasting sharply with the long, tubular shape that hummingbirds are adapted to feed from.
The shallow structure of the flowers makes the nectar easily accessible to generalist insects, increasing competition for the limited resource. While a hummingbird may investigate Kalanchoe flowers, particularly if other food sources are scarce, the plant’s structure does not facilitate the efficient, high-volume feeding required by the birds. Some less common, larger-flowered Kalanchoe species may present a more tubular shape and thus receive visits, but this is an exception rather than the rule for the popular potted varieties.
Recommended Nectar Sources for Your Garden
Gardeners should prioritize planting species that align perfectly with the bird’s feeding profile to reliably attract and sustain hummingbirds. Incorporating a variety of plant types ensures a continuous supply of nectar throughout the growing season. Perennial plants offer the benefit of returning year after year and creating established feeding territories.
Excellent perennial choices include the diverse Salvia species, such as Mexican bush sage, which feature numerous tubular flowers on tall spikes. Monarda (Bee Balm) is another reliable option with vibrant, whorled flowers that provide generous nectar. Penstemon (Beardtongue) is also highly recommended, offering tubular, trumpet-shaped blossoms.
For annuals and container gardening, the cascading, tubular blooms of Fuchsia are a favorite, as are certain varieties of Zinnia and Nicotiana. Shrubs and vines also offer substantial nectar resources; the native Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) produces large, orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. Planting these species in dense groups makes the food source more visible and appealing to hummingbirds flying overhead.
To support migrating and breeding hummingbirds, include plants with staggered blooming times. Early-season bloomers like Mahonia species provide sustenance upon arrival, while late-season plants such as Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) offer fuel for the fall migration. Focusing on plants with the ideal tubular shape and high-sucrose nectar creates a dependable habitat.