Table of Contents
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).
Will monarchs eat any milkweed?
Milkweed is the host plant for the monarch butterfly. Without milkweed, the larva would not be able to develop into a butterfly. Monarchs use a variety of milkweeds. Monarch larvae ,or caterpillars, feed exclusively on milkweed leaves.
Do monarchs use all types of milkweed?
Over the past 2 decades, however, monarch numbers east of the Rockies have fallen by 80 to 90 percent. Female monarchs will lay eggs on all nine milkweed species, but they prefer some over others. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca) averaged the highest number of eggs.
Should I plant milkweed for monarchs?
milkweed, as nectar is critical for fueling monarchs during their migration and overwintering. For most other parts of California, planting milkweed is recommended as a key strategy for helping monarchs.
What is the difference between common milkweed and butterfly milkweed?
Common milkweed has a milky sap like most types of milkweeds, an aspect of the plant that gives milkweeds their name. Common milkweed grows as high as 5 feet, while butterfly weed is shorter, with most between 1 and 3 feet tall. Common milkweed and butterfly weed are two species of milkweed that have much in common.
Is Tropical Milkweed good for monarchs?
While milkweed is needed in large numbers to support and expand the monarch butterfly population, we do not recommend planting tropical milkweed, and further suggest milkweed of any species not be planted within 5–10 miles of monarch overwintering sites in California.
What milkweed attracts monarchs?
East of the Rocky Mountains, Monarch Watch recommends common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata, which tolerates moist sites) and butterfly milkweed (A. tuberosa). West of the Rockies, butterfly milkweed and swamp milkweed are still good choices, along with narrow-leaf milkweed (A.
Is Asclepias Curassavica good for monarchs?
Tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, has been much debated as a significant factor in monarch decline and disease for almost a decade. According to several studies, presence of the easy-to-grow, widely available perennial can encourage monarchs to break their reproductive diapause and stop migrating.
How many milkweed plants do I need?
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.
What can I feed monarch caterpillars Besides milkweed?
Most enthusiasts have found most success with butternut squash as a substitute for milkweed leaves. Some of the other vegetables that have successfully been fed to Monarch caterpillars in the last instar (last few days) are cucumber, zucchini, and pumpkin.
Should I plant milkweed in my garden?
So the rule is: If you live along the California coast, plant nectar plants to support the monarchs migrating to and from overwintering sites; do not plant milkweed. It is best not to plant milkweed within 10 miles of an overwintering site.
Does milkweed come back every year?
It’s always best to plant milkweeds that are native to your area. These native milkweed are perennials, meaning they come back year after year. Their aerial parts (flower, leaves, stem) die back but their rootstock remains alive throughout the winter.
How much milkweed do monarchs eat?
The University of Minnesota Monarch Lab estimates that it takes about one mature milkweed plant to feed one monarch caterpillar. Yet, milkweed species are variable in leaf shape and size and they produce new growth at different rates, following herbivory. Also, monarchs sometimes lay multiple eggs on a single plant.
When should you cut down milkweed?
It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. Cutting back the milkweed will also help to eliminate OE spores that may be present on the plant.
What does a milkweed pod look like?
Typically, these pods are horn shaped, or otherwise long, narrow and tubular. Pods are filled with seeds and floss, a material attached to the seed that allows it to travel on the wind, similar to dandelion seed. Milkweed seed should be brown and leathery when mature, though the pods themselves may still be green.
How big do milkweed plants get?
This milkweed grows to about 1.5 meters(5 feet) tall, usually occurring in clusters of stout stems. It has rhizomes and quickly forms colonies. Leaves are 15-20 centimeters (6-8 inches) long and 5-9 centimeters (2-3.6 inches) wide. They are somewhat thick with a prominent midrib beneath.
Which milkweed is invasive?
A few tips for purchasing and planting milkweed Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the source of the plant’s bad reputation—it’s quite invasive.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
For these reasons, the Xerces Society does not recommend planting milkweed (non-native or native) close to overwintering sites (within 5-10 miles of the coast) in Central and Northern coastal California where it did not occur historically (see State of the Overwintering Sites Report for additional information).
Is scarlet milkweed good for monarchs?
The flowers of the tropical exotic attract migrating monarchs and provide good grazing for the late-season crop of caterpillars. It makes a good filler plant in the mixed border or massed as a background planting.
