Nectar-rich blooms might be the priority when it comes to attracting pollinators, but hydration is just as important. It's easy to forget that bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are searching for fresh water as well as food sources – and this is where bee cups come in.
While I've only recently discovered bee cups, I now can't imagine a garden without them. Crafted from porcelain and finished in a variety of colorful glazes, they serve as mini hydration stations for a range of pollinators, and they happen to be both gorgeous and affordable. (You can pick up a set of 5 bee cups from Amazon for $39.99.)
Even better, these handmade dishes also introduce a delightfully decorative touch to any space. So, if you're keen to attract bees to your garden, I'd say that a set of bee cups is the perfect blend of style and function.
Set out these adorable dishes in your flower beds and watch pollinators flock to them. Each bee cup is plastic-free and hand-crafted from porcelain, with an ultraviolet glaze designed to emulate colorful flowers.
What Are Bee Cups? And Do You Really Need Them?
While you might have spotted bees drinking from bird baths or even pet bowls in your garden, they are most likely to seek out sheltered sources of fresh water – especially if these happen to look like flowers.
Bee cups are designed with this in mind: each one features a colorful, cone-shaped basin which allows bees to perch and drink safely. And since bees can't swim, this narrow shape ensures that they can hydrate without the risk of drowning.
Additionally, the surface of each bee cup is finished in an ultraviolet glaze in the colors attract bees. (Bees can, in fact, view different ultraviolet wavelengths to humans, meaning that some hues are more likely to catch their attention.)
As a result, you'll primarily find bee cups in shades of blue, purple and yellow. (This set of 3 bright yellow bee cups from Amazon is my current favorite garden accessory.)
Each of these dainty hydration stations is best nestled in flower beds or placed next to your most strongly-scented, nectar-rich plants. Since they're made of porcelain rather than plastic, bee cups are impressively weather-resistant, and the vibrant colors won't fade in bright sunlight.
A flourishing pollinator garden does, of course, start with pollinator-friendly plants, but I love that bee cups will also double as decor. So, while you fill your yard with beautiful blooms, you can add even more pops of color in the form of elegant accessories like this.
And if you prefer an even more whimsical look, you can opt for something like these flower-shaped watering stations (which are also from Amazon) or these metal butterfly feeders from Wayfair.
Why Shoppers Love These Bee Cups
While there are plenty of watering stations on the market, these particular bee cups are in fact a patented design – and they've garnered countless five-star reviews online.
'Super high quality and the colors are so cute,' says one shopper. 'A great addition to my garden bed!'
Some shoppers describe the bee cups as smaller than expected, which means they need to be refilled regularly. (However, this is ultimately beneficial for bees, since fresh water reduces the spread of diseases, and smaller basins allow for safe perching.)
'Obviously the less water you have, the faster it dries up, and these cups are small,' explains one reviewer. 'This isn’t a design flaw, just the water cycle! I love that the cups are not made of plastic and they hold up well in all weather conditions, too.'
Shop Pollinator Watering Stations
If you don't love floral decor, try this semi-circular watering station from Etsy. It's available in a variety of bright colors.
While it doubles as a bird bath, this watering station comes with a set of colorful glass marbles which act as a safe landing pad for bees while they drink.
They might sound like a strange investment, but bee islands provide the perfect way for bees to drink safely from your bird bath.
Want to create the very best bee-friendly space this year? Check out our guide to flowers that attract bees, or read up on the best plants for pollinators.
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