How to Plant Milkweed: A Guide to Saving the Monarch Butterfly

Edited by David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation Naturalist

If you’re looking to make a real impact on local wildlife, there is no plant more vital than milkweed. While the name might suggest it's just another garden weed, milkweed is a powerhouse native plant and the only host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Without it, the monarch cannot survive.

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small patio, planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways to help restore declining pollinator populations. Here is how to get started.

1. Choose the Right Species for Your Soil

There are over 70 species of milkweed native to the U.S. While almost all species require full sun (at least 6–8 hours a day) to thrive, their preferences for water and soil vary significantly. Choosing a species native to your specific region ensures the plant will be low-maintenance and highly beneficial. Here are some examples of common species:

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Despite the name, it is a garden favorite with fragrant pink blooms. It thrives in moist-to-wet soil and even handles heavy clay.

• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): Famous for its vibrant orange clusters, this species loves well-draining, sandy, or dry soil.

• Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata): A delicate, white-flowered option that is incredibly resilient in dry, rocky, or challenging soil conditions.

2. Plugs vs. Seeds: What’s Best for Beginners?

When starting your garden, you have two main choices: seeds or starter plants (plugs).

• The Challenge of Seeds: Growing milkweed from seed can be tricky. Most species require a process called cold stratification—meaning the seeds must experience a period of freezing temperatures to break dormancy. Germination rates can be inconsistent, and it often takes a year or two for seed-grown plants to bloom.

• The Ease of Plugs: For most home gardeners, starter plants (plugs) are the way to go. These plants arrive with established root systems, making them much hardier and more likely to provide a food source for monarchs in their very first season.

3. Creating a Complete Habitat

A great butterfly garden is more than just a single plant. To truly support monarchs, you need to create a "habitat" rather than just a snack station.

• Plant Nectar Sources: While caterpillars need milkweed to eat, adult butterflies need nectar for energy. Surround your milkweed with other native wildflowers like Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata).

• Add Native Grasses: Planting native grasses like Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) nearby provides essential shelter for butterflies to rest and hide from predators or heavy rain. Grasses are also important caterpillar host plants. Little bluestem for example is a host plant for several skipper butterfly species.

• The Power of Clumps: Butterflies find plants more easily when they are grouped together. Try to plant milkweed in drifts of at least three to six plants.

4. Protecting Your Plants (and Wildlife)

Milkweed contains a milky sap that contains cardenolides—toxins that make monarch caterpillars unpalatable to birds. However, the plants themselves can sometimes be targeted by other visitors.

• Keep it Away from Pets and Livestock: While the bitter taste usually deters animals, milkweed can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. It’s best to plant it in areas where pets or grazing animals won't have easy access.

• Manage the Milkweed Aphids: You might see tiny yellow insects on your stems. Don't panic! These are milkweed aphids. They rarely kill the plant. Avoid pesticides at all costs, as these will kill the very monarch caterpillars you're trying to save. Instead, a sharp blast of water from a hose is usually enough to manage them.

5. Tips for Planting

Now that you know the basics of planting milkweed, here are 4 simple steps for establishing your garden: 

1. Prep: Clear away weeds and lawn to prepare your garden bed.

2. Dig: Dig a hole slightly wider than your plant's root ball.

3. Plant: Place the plug in the ground, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil.

4. Water: Water thoroughly at the base. For the first two weeks, keep the soil moist as the roots establish. After that, most native milkweeds are remarkably drought-tolerant!

Ready to get started?

By planting native milkweed, you aren't just adding a flower to your garden—you’re providing a lifeline for a species in need. Explore the Milkweed for Monarchs collection at gardenforwildlife.com to find the perfect native plants for your zip code.