Growing Milkweed to Attract Butterflies

Many flowers — especially native plants — are terrific sources of nectar for monarch butterflies, but milkweed leaves are the only food monarch caterpillars eat. Monarchs butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants so the tiny caterpillars will have access to food the moment they hatch.

Which milkweed is best for monarch butterflies?
How do you grow milkweed for butterflies?
How fast does butterfly milkweed grow?
Does butterfly milkweed spread?
Where should I plant my milkweed?
Does milkweed come back every year?
Is butterfly bush the same as milkweed?
Is milkweed poisonous if you touch it?
Is milkweed poisonous to dogs?
Does milkweed flower the first year?
How many milkweed plants should I plant?
How long does a milkweed plant live?

Which milkweed is best for monarch butterflies?

Three species have particularly wide ranges and are good choices in most regions: common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and butterflyweed (A. tuberosa). The latter two are highly ornamental and widely available via the nursery trade.

How do you grow milkweed for butterflies?

How to plant: To ensure successful germination of milkweed seeds, plant them in a smooth, clump-free soil bed worked to a fine consistency using a rake or rototiller. After you've sown the seeds, compact them into the soil (but don't cover them) to provide good soil-to-seed contact.

How fast does butterfly milkweed grow?

Seeds should sprout in 1-2 weeks. CARE: Keep soil damp but not excessively wet until plants are 3-5 inches tall. Plants generally do not require supplemental fertilization.

Does butterfly milkweed spread?

It is native to North America and reproduces primarily from seed. Once it is established it can spread from its rhizomatous root system.

Where should I plant my milkweed?

Plant in full sun locations. Soil: There is a Milkweed variety for every landscape. Common Milkweed grows well in average garden soil. Swamp Milkweed, as its name implies, will do best in a moist environment, making it great for wet meadows or rain gardens.

Does milkweed come back every year?

Perennial milkweeds grow back year after year. They provide habitat for traveling Monarch butterflies. If the milkweed is a perennial, like Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed) pictured above, you'll notice tiny leaves growing from the base of the plant at some point after the upper stems have been consumed.

Is butterfly bush the same as milkweed?

A species of milkweed, the butterfly weed is a native of eastern North America. It blooms from summer to early fall. Yes, it attracts butterflies who drink its nectar, but more than that, butterfly weed also serves as food for the larvae of the monarch butterfly.

Is milkweed poisonous if you touch it?

All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.

Is milkweed poisonous to dogs?

The Pet Poison Helpline reports that milkweed is a moderate to severe poisoning in dogs and cats, which means get to the vet as soon as you suspect your pet has ingested the plant, or even butterflies or caterpillars that eat milkweed.

Does milkweed flower the first year?

In general, milkweed may not flower in the first year of growth, because it is investing its resources in growing a strong root system. ... Luckily, monarchs will lay their eggs on milkweed even if it is not flowering! The caterpillars eat the leaves of the plant, so your milkweed can still be a host plant without flowers.

How many milkweed plants should I plant?

For gardens, we recommend that you plant about 20-30 milkweed plants per 100 square feet. Milkweed plants should be spaced 1 foot apart, placed in clusters of 3-4 milkweeds.

How long does a milkweed plant live?

There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America and the diversity of foliage and flower color is quite amazing. All milkweeds are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for more than two years. In fact, most milkweeds will live for several years if cared for properly.