Milkweed Plant for Monarch Butterflies

The milkweed plant is the host plant for Monarch Butterflies and is therefore required by Monarch butterflies for reproduction. The adult butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed and when the caterpillars hatch they feed on the plant. If you want to attract tons of Monarchs to your yard then plant some milkweed. Here is some information about milkweed.

Milkweed is a perennial that flowers in the spring/summer. Many milkweed species are native to North America and the species are quite varied in leaf size, shape, color of flower, and flower shape. Native milkweed species can be found almost anywhere in the US. Some milkweed plants are considered weeds while several others are sought out for gardens.

A few varieties of milkweed plants are commonly found in many garden centers across the country. One of the more popular types is known as Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). It has showy orange (or yellow) flowers and is extremely attractive to all different kinds of butterflies as a nectar plant as well as to the Monarchs for egg-laying. It is vigorous and reliable but well-behaved in the garden. Check your local garden centers for other varieties of milkweed that are native to your specific area.

Another milkweed plant that is common is called Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). This milkweed is actually not native to the US but many people grow it as an annual due to its quick growth and easy sowing. This milkweed is liked very much by the Monarchs as a host plant and is also attractive to many other butterflies for its nectar. Tropical milkweed can be found in some garden centers but seed is easy to find online.

When growing milkweed from seed, the Tropical milkweed seed is one of the few that can be sowed without cold stratification. Many of the other varieties of milkweed seeds need a period of cold stratification. You can do this in your refrigerator or plant the seeds outside in the fall so they are exposed to the cold before germinating in the spring. After stratification the seeds will germinate readily. The place that you buy them from should provide information on germination requirements (stratify or not and for how long).

I hope this has helped. You will want to plant as much of it as you have room for because the caterpillars will eat it down to stems! Many butterfly gardens are composed of more than one variety of milkweed. Planting the milkweed plant for Monarch butterflies will give you the chance to watch the wonderful life cycle of the butterfly. It is great fun!

Please visit Joyful Butterfly for information about a great Milkweed Plant to attract Monarchs to your area of the country. also, please visit us for some neat ideas to Attract Butterflies to your yard!