The Benefits of Growing Milkweed in Your Garden and How to Get Started

While milkweed is often considered problematic for farmers and ranchers due to its toxicity to livestock, it serves as the exclusive food source for monarch caterpillars and a vital habitat for monarch butterflies to lay their eggs.

The decline in milkweed availability over the years has put monarch butterflies at risk. Thankfully, anyone can contribute to their conservation by planting milkweed in their gardens. Learn how to transform your backyard into a haven for monarch butterflies with these simple steps.

What Is Milkweed and Why Should You Plant It?

Milkweed, a flowering plant indigenous to North America, secretes a milky sap that is crucial for certain pollinators. These insects depend on it for laying eggs and as nourishment for their larvae. Additionally, it offers nectar to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and various other insects.

While the decline of monarch butterflies has drawn attention to milkweed cultivation, they are not the only beneficiaries. "Milkweed is an excellent source of nectar for numerous bee species and hummingbirds," explains Mary Phillips, leader of Garden for Wildlife and Certified Wildlife Habitat at the National Wildlife Federation.

This plant also draws in other butterflies, such as swallowtails and painted ladies, which thrive on the nectar and shelter milkweed offers. By incorporating milkweed into your garden, you foster a diverse ecosystem, bolstering local insect and wildlife populations and ultimately supporting the broader environment.

How to Choose Milkweed Types

Before adding milkweed to your garden, it's essential to select varieties native to your region, advises Cate Singleton, design director at Tilly, an online landscape design firm. "Native plants support local wildlife and require less maintenance since they are naturally suited to your climate." (Local garden societies or conservation groups often provide pre-researched options, but you can also inquire about the best milkweed for your area.)

Different milkweed species bloom at varying times and attract distinct pollinators. For example, orange butterfly milkweed and whorled milkweed are favored by native bees, whereas swamp, common, and showy milkweed draw larger bees such as bumblebees, notes Phillips. Below are some popular milkweed varieties to consider for your garden.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly milkweed thrives across the eastern United States, extending into Texas and New Mexico, and is known for its vibrant orange flowers.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca)

Common milkweed is found east of the Rocky Mountains and features blossoms in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa)

Showy milkweed is native to the Western United States and is characterized by its pink or purple blossoms.

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias Verticillata)

Whorled milkweed thrives in the Eastern United States and certain Western regions, featuring greenish-white blossoms.

How to Plant Milkweed

Milkweed plants can reach impressive heights (up to four feet, depending on the variety) and produce blooms in pink, white, purple, and orange during spring and summer. Here’s a guide to cultivating a flourishing milkweed garden, no matter which type you select.

1. Select a milkweed species native to your region and choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil for planting. Milkweed thrives best in soil that doesn’t retain too much water, as Singleton emphasizes.
2. For clay-heavy soil, mix in peat to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Loosen the soil to create an ideal environment for seed growth.
3. Plant seeds directly in the ground during late fall to allow natural cold stratification, or start them indoors in spring after refrigerating the seeds for 30 days to simulate winter conditions.
4. Maintain moist soil for the seeds until seedlings emerge. Once established, milkweed is drought-resistant and requires minimal watering.
5. As the plants grow, regularly clear weeds and prune the area to foster a healthy habitat for pollinators.

Tips for Planting Milkweed

Planting is just the beginning. Follow these tips to ensure your milkweed plants flourish in your garden.

Plant More Than One Type of Milkweed

"A variety of milkweed species ensures happier monarchs!" Phillips advises. "Plant two to three native milkweed varieties, as their staggered blooming periods provide continuous nectar throughout the season. Aim for at least three plants of each type." Additionally, allowing seed pods to naturally disperse can lead to more milkweed plants sprouting in the same area.

Make the Milkweed Easy to Access

Position milkweed along the edges of your garden in a sunny area. "It’s best to plant it as a border or in clusters at the corners, rather than scattering it randomly in the middle," Phillips suggests.

"Research indicates that monarchs locate milkweed more easily when it’s not completely surrounded by other plants." Choosing a location accessible from the north or south improves the chances of attracting monarch butterflies to your garden, Phillips adds.

Plant Other Butterfly-Friendly Plants Nearby

To transform your milkweed into a butterfly haven, include other nectar-rich plants nearby. "Add native plants that bloom throughout the seasons to provide food for adult monarchs during migration," Phillips advises. "Fall-blooming species like asters and goldenrods are particularly crucial, as they support numerous pollinators."

In addition to flowering plants, consider incorporating native grasses into your garden. "They serve as excellent companion plants, offering additional space for pollinators to lay eggs," Singleton explains. "Alliums are another valuable addition, as they help deter pests like aphids, making them ideal for a pollinator-friendly garden."