The monarch butterfly host plant Milkweeds and how to grow them from seed

How do you grow Showweed milkweed?
How do you plant Monarch butterfly seeds?
How do you harvest and plant milkweed seeds?
What is the best time to plant milkweed seeds?
Where should I plant my milkweed?
Does milkweed come back every year?
Should I soak milkweed seeds before planting?
Does milkweed flower the first year?
How many milkweed plants should I plant?
Do hummingbirds like milkweed?
Do milkweed plants spread?
How deep do you plant milkweed seeds?

How do you grow Showweed milkweed?

Showy milkweed prefers full sun and will tolerate drought once the plant is established. It can be found in dry areas as well as mesic (medium moist) and will do fine in poor soils but needs good drainage. The mature plant height is about 4 ft (though this can vary widely with different conditions).

How do you plant Monarch butterfly seeds?

Simply press them against the soil with your hand or the sole of your shoe. Seeds of the monarch butterfly host plant require light to germinate, so if you cover them with soil, they won't germinate come spring. Step 2: Walk away. Seriously.

How do you harvest and plant milkweed seeds?

Tips for harvesting milkweed seeds

Step 1: Harvest seed pod from milkweed plant. ...
Step 3: Carefully remove the milkweed seed cluster. ...
Step 2: Open milkweed seed pod. ...
Step 4: Separate seeds from milkweed floss. ...
Step 1: Harvest seed pod from milkweed plant. ...
Step 2: Open milkweed seed pod.

What is the best time to plant milkweed seeds?

According to the document, milkweed seed should ideally be planted in the fall. While some seed predation will occur, exposure to cold temperatures and moist conditions during winter will stimulate germination.

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.

Should I soak milkweed seeds before planting?

In an effort to improve germination rates, many gardeners place the seeds in packets made from paper towels and soak them in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting.

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.

Do hummingbirds like milkweed?

Milkweed is a must-have butterfly plant. Not only is it the host plant for monarchs — hummingbirds (and many other butterflies) like these flowers too. There are dozens of varieties available, but swamp milkweed seems to be the monarch and hummingbird favorite in our yard.

Do milkweed plants spread?

“Common milkweed spreads by rhizomes (underground runners or roots) which is why it can be such an aggressive spreader. By planting it within a fairly dense planting of other native species, you leave minimal room for the rhizomes to travel.”

How deep do you plant milkweed seeds?

Once the seed is broadcast, work the seed into the soil to a depth of 1/8th inch. This can be accomplished by flipping over a garden rake and lightly moving the seed and the soil/mulch. Straw may be added but is not necessary. Often time, straw introduces weed seed that competes with the milkweed plants.