13 Best Milkweed to Grow for Monarch Butterflies
If you’re looking to help monarch butterflies thrive, 13 best milkweed to grow for monarch butterflies, planting milkweed is one of the best things you can do. Monarchs lay their eggs only on milkweed plants, and the caterpillars feed on their leaves. But not all milkweed species are the same. Some are better suited for different regions, and others attract more monarchs. In this blog, we’ll explore the 13 best milkweeds to grow for monarch butterflies to support their lifecycle and make your garden a haven for these incredible pollinators.
1. Common Milkweed
This is one of the most popular milkweed plants for monarchs. It grows easily in many regions of North America and provides plenty of food for caterpillars. It has large leaves and round clusters of pink flowers that bloom in summer.
2. Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed loves wet soil and is perfect for rain gardens. Its fragrant pink flowers bloom in midsummer, attracting both butterflies and bees.
3. Butterfly Weed
Bright orange blooms make this a favorite for gardeners and pollinators. It prefers dry soil and full sun. While it’s not the monarchs’ first choice for egg-laying, it still supports their life cycle.
4. Showy Milkweed
With its large, star-shaped pink flowers, Showy Milkweed lives up to its name. It’s similar to Common Milkweed but works better in Western climates.
5. Purple Milkweed
A rarer species with deep purple flowers, it thrives in lightly shaded areas. This is a great addition if you want something unique and monarch-friendly.
6. Narrowleaf Milkweed
Native to the Western U.S., this milkweed has thin, grassy leaves and pale pink to white flowers. It’s drought-tolerant and great for dry areas.
7. Antelope Horns Milkweed
This Texas-native variety gets its name from the horn-like shape of its seed pods. Its green and purple flowers are a monarch favorite.
8. Green Milkweed
Also called Green Antelopehorn, this species blooms early and grows well in prairies and meadows. Its unusual green flowers are great for attracting monarchs.
9. White Milkweed
A beautiful option with white, umbrella-shaped flowers. It prefers shady areas and is less common, but highly beneficial for monarchs.
10. Tropical Milkweed
This colorful, non-native milkweed has red, orange, and yellow flowers. While monarchs love it, it’s best grown in pots and cut back in winter to avoid disrupting migration.
11. Zizotes Milkweed
A tough native plant of the Southwest, it’s drought-tolerant and thrives in rocky soils. Monarchs use it for both nectar and laying eggs.
12. Horsetail Milkweed
Its wispy, fine leaves look like horsetail grass. Though not as showy, it’s a strong host plant for monarch caterpillars in dry regions.
13. Tall Green Milkweed
Found in the Midwest, this tall, slender species produces clusters of greenish flowers. It grows well in meadows and open fields.
Conclusion
Monarch butterflies need our help more than ever, and planting milkweed is a simple way to support their survival. From the bright blooms of Butterfly Weed to the rare charm of Purple Milkweed, each species plays a role in giving monarchs a safe place to grow and thrive. When choosing from the 13 best milkweed to grow for monarch butterflies, consider your local climate, soil type, and garden space. Native varieties are always the best choice for lasting impact.
