Grow a lifeline for monarchs and a burst of wild beauty!
Butterfly Milkweed is more than just a pretty face, it’s a vital host plant for monarch caterpillars and a magnet for pollinators. With its fiery orange blooms and deep roots, it brings color, life, and purpose to native gardens.
Variety: Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Growth Habit: Upright, perennial
Height: 24–36 inches
Color: Bright orange
Planting Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil; cold stratification improves germination
Bloom Time: 80–100 days from sowing; blooms in second year
Uses: Pollinator gardens, native plantings, erosion control
Fun Fact: Milkweed is the only host plant for monarch caterpillars, without it, they can’t survive!
Butterfly Milkweed is a must-grow for anyone looking to support pollinators and restore native habitats. Its vivid orange flowers are irresistible to bees and butterflies, while its deep roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Imagine monarchs fluttering around your garden, laying eggs on the very plants you’ve nurtured, this is gardening with heart and purpose.
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🌞 Choose a Sunny Spot: Full sun and well-drained soil are essential.
🌱 Sow the Seeds: Plant ¼ inch deep; cold stratify seeds for 30 days before sowing.
💧 Water Sparingly: Once established, milkweed is drought-tolerant.
🌿 Thin and Maintain: Thin to 12–18 inches apart for healthy growth.
✂️ Harvest: Leave seed pods to dry for reseeding or collect for future planting.
