The Monarch Butterfly
The monarch butterfly is beautiful, with its orange and black wings it seems to float through the air. This incredible pollinator travels thousands of miles each year, from the northern U.S. to Mexico, where they gather in protective clusters called roosts in Oyamel fir trees. Unfortunately, the Monarch’s population numbers are on the decline, and they need our help. One thing we can all do is grow milkweed from seed in our gardens, or in containers. Growing milkweed from seed would help the monarch butterfly survive and make a beautiful addition to any garden.
Types of Milkweed
- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
• Description: Tall plant with broad leaves and clusters of pink-to-purple flowers.
• Regions: Native to the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada.
• Ideal Habitat: Fields, roadsides, and open meadows.
• Notes: Easy to grow, highly attractive to monarchs and other pollinators.
2. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
• Description: Slender plant with pink or mauve flowers, often found near water.
• Regions: Native across much of the U.S., particularly in wetland areas.
• Ideal Habitat: Wet soils, along streams, and in rain gardens.
• Notes: Tolerates moderate moisture and attracts a variety of pollinators.
3. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Description: Vibrant orange flowers on shorter plants.
• Regions: Native to the eastern and central U.S.
• Ideal Habitat: Dry, sandy, or well-drained soils in sunny locations.
• Notes: A low-maintenance, drought-tolerant option for home gardens.
4. Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
• Description: Striking pink-to-purple flowers and velvety leaves.
• Regions: Native to the western U.S., particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Ideal Habitat: Open areas such as prairies, fields, and roadsides.
• Notes: Adapts well to dry conditions and attracts monarchs and bees.
5. California Milkweed (Asclepias californica)
• Description: Pale pink to purple flowers and fuzzy leaves.
• Regions: Native to California.
• Ideal Habitat: Dry hillsides and chaparral environments.
• Notes: Perfect for supporting monarchs in California’s unique ecosystems.
5. Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) – Use With Caution. In fact maybe don’t plant
• Description: Bright red-and-yellow flowers, grows year-round in warm climates.
• Regions: Non-native, commonly grown in southern U.S. states.
• Concerns: While monarchs are attracted to it, tropical milkweed can disrupt migration patterns and increase the risk of disease (e.g., OE parasite). If planted, it should be cut back in late fall to prevent these issues.
6. Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)
• Description: Greenish-white flowers with purple centers.
• Regions: Native to the southern and central U.S.
• Ideal Habitat: Prairies and pastures.
• Notes: A key milkweed species for monarchs in Texas and along their migratory route.
7. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
• Description: Delicate white flowers and thin, needle-like leaves.
• Regions: Found throughout much of North America.
• Ideal Habitat: Dry, sandy soils and open fields.
• Notes: Smaller species suitable for compact garden spaces.
Growing milkweed from seed
Growing milkweed from seed is fairly easy.
- Choose the site.
- Sunlight: Milkweed thrives in full sun, choose a spot with at least six hours of sunlight. This could be in a garden setting or grown in a container, such as a decorative pot.
- Soil: Don’t worry too much about the quality of the soil. I’ve seen it grow in everything from clay to potting soil. If you do have clay soil grow the swamp milkweed, also known as rose milkweed.
- Plant the milkweed seeds
- Timing: Plant in the Fall or early spring. Fall planting allows the milkweed seeds to undergo natural cold stratification (exposure to winter conditions) which milkweed seeds need to germinate.
- If planting in the spring follow these instructions:
Cold stratification is a process that mimics the natural overwintering conditions required by many seeds, including milkweed, to break dormancy and germinate. For milkweed seeds, it’s an important step because the seeds often need exposure to a period of moist, cold conditions to sprout successfully. Here’s how you can cold stratify milkweed seeds:
Materials Needed:
• Milkweed seeds
• A plastic bag (resealable)
• A paper towel or a coffee filter
• Water
• A refrigerator
Steps for Cold Stratification:
1. Moisten the Paper Towel:
Dampen a paper towel or coffee filter with water. Make sure it’s moist but not dripping wet.
2. Prepare the Seeds:
Spread the milkweed seeds evenly across one half of the paper towel.
3. Fold and Seal:
Fold the paper towel over the seeds, enclosing them completely. Place the folded towel inside a resealable plastic bag.
4. Label the Bag:
Write the date and the type of seed on the bag to keep track of the stratification period.
5. Refrigerate:
Place the sealed bag in the refrigerator. Aim for a temperature of about 35–40°F (1.5–4.5°C). Do not freeze the seeds.
6. Wait:
Leave the seeds in the refrigerator for 4–6 weeks, which is generally sufficient for milkweed seeds to break dormancy.
After Stratification:
1. Check for Germination:
Some seeds may start to sprout in the bag. These can be planted directly into pots or the garden.
2. Plant the Seeds:
Sow the seeds about 1/8 inch deep in seed-starting soil. Milkweed prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
3. Water Gently:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until the seeds germinate.
Cold stratification gives milkweed seeds the environmental cue they need to grow, increasing the likelihood of successful germination. This method is particularly important if you are sowing milkweed seeds indoors or outside in warm climates where natural winter conditions are insufficient.
- 3. Watering and Maintenance
- Water: Keep newly planted milkweed seeds moist, but not waterlogged. Once mature, most milkweed varieties are drought tolerant
- Maintenance: Add a thin layer of mulch to prevent weeds. Avoid pesticides and herbicides which harm Monarchs and other pollinators. Allow milkweed to go to seed and release seeds naturally for more milkweed next season.
Conclusion
That’s about it. Milkweed is beautiful and an easy plant to grow. It is an essential lifeline to the future of the Monarch butterfly. Each one of us can play a small role helping this magnificent pollinator by growing milkweed from seed.