How to Make a Butterfly Water Feeder

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While butterflies rely on water from puddles and ponds, a simple waterer like this can also help. Made from a repurposed grapevine wreath, it’s pretty yet cheap and easy to create.

Not sure which butterflies visit your garden? Use these tips to identify butterflies.

Homemade butterfly feeder hanging from a tree branch in the garden.

Water Feeder for Bees, Birds, and Butterflies

Grapevine wreath butterfly water feeder.

Sometimes the simplest ideas work best! I made this water feeder from an old grape vine wreath, a pie plate, and some stones. Hang it with twine and add water and you’re all set.

Minutes after I first hung it up I saw a goldfinch and butterfly both stop by to check it out. Soon after a mourning dove gave it a try but soon realized she was better off at the pond.

If you live in an area with limited fresh water or prone to droughts, providing fresh clean water is essential for all the living creatures that bring our gardens (and nature) to life.

Natural settings including ponds and puddles are always best, but supplemental water sources can also help.

Also be sure to grow the plants butterfly caterpillars need—and don’t fret when they eat plant leaves—they can’t survive without them.

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DIY Butterfly Waterer

Twine, stones, clear pie plate, and grapevine wreath — Supplies for making butterfly waterer

This project is super simple. Some links go to my Amazon affiliate account but I always suggest checking your cupboards or local thrift shop first.

Grape vine wreath
Glass pie plate (choose one that sits snugly in your grape vine wreath)
Twine
River rocks or stones

Assembly Tips

DIY butterfly waterer made from grapevine wreath — Butterfly waterer made from a glass pie plate, grapevine wreath, and stones.

You could sit this feeder on a stand (an old birdbath, plant stand, or chair) or hang it from a tree branch or garden pole. It also works as a puddler on the ground.

I cut 4 pieces of twine and tied each one around a section of the wreath. I joined all of the twine pieces together at the top and hung the whole thing from a branch.

The glass pie plate is filled with river rocks to give the visitors places to stand (without submerging in the water).

The plate is not attached so it’s easy to remove, wash, and refill each day. Daily cleaning (using these instructions) is a must to help prevent the spread of disease and ensure the water is nice and fresh.

As mentioned, if you have room, hang it in a location away from feeders and other busy bird hangouts.

Yes, it’s that easy.

Maintenance Tips

Hanging butterfly water dish — Butterfly water dish hanging from tree branch

Wash the pie plate (and stones) and change the water regularly. The warmer the weather, the more often it will need cleaning. I use a kitchen colander to quickly rinse the stones.
The twine will probably need to be replaced once or twice a year, depending on wear and tear.