Which Milkweed Should You Grow? Best Regional Recommendations
Milkweed is one of the top recommended plants that you can grow to support pollinators. It's essential to know which species to plant. Join pollinator enthusiast and beekeeper Melissa Strauss for recommendations on choosing the right milkweed for your region.
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Milkweed is an essential native plant in North America. For one thing, it’s the sole larval host for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Without it, the species cannot survive. It’s also an exceptional nectar source for a wide array of other pollinators.
The milkweed population is declining, and along with it, the monarch population is also declining. Habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and widespread herbicide use are primarily to blame. Conservationists are working to combat the decline of milkweed in the wild, and gardeners can play a crucial role in this effort. We can plant it in our butterfly gardens, as well!
Milkweed’s clusters of flowers provide food for bees, wasps, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The plants bolster food webs, contribute to biodiversity, and support a healthy ecosystem. That is, the native types do. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a non-native species that can actually cause more harm than good.
Knowing which type of milkweed to plant for your region is crucial. By planting native plants, you not only save yourself time and resources, but you also help the pollinators. Native species provide monarchs with proper food at the right time during their migration. Let’s discuss which milkweed species are best suited for your region.
Narrowleaf Milkweed/Butterfly Flower
Narrowleaf Milkweed/Butterfly Flower Seeds
The Short Answer
With more than 60 species of milkweed native to North America, gardeners in every region have numerous options to choose from. Some of the species with the widest native ranges include common milkweed (A. syriaca) and swamp milkweed (A. incarnata). Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) and whorled milkweed (A. verticillata) are also native to large swaths of the United States.
The Long Answer
Finding the right native milkweed for your garden involves identifying the species that are best suited to your region. Finding different native species often requires a bit more effort than finding tropical species. However, conservation groups, specialty nurseries, and botanical gardens are good places to start. Here are some regional recommendations.
Northeast
Monarchs migrate through the Northeast region twice yearly. The first is in late spring on their way to Canada, and then again in late summer on their way to Mexico. It’s not uncommon to see these butterflies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and the New England region.
Milkweed is easy to grow from seeds, and it self-sows. Once you plant it, as long as you allow it to go to seed, you’ll have an increasing number of plants the following year. Native species are easy to care for and rarely need attention once established.
In the Northeast region, there are several wonderful native species of milkweed. My regional recommendations include five of the more common, as these will be the easiest to locate.
Common (A. syriaca) – This species is highly ornamental with broad leaves and large clusters of fragrant pink flowers. It makes an attractive ornamental. It also provides an excellent food source for pollinators during its long bloom season. This important species grows well in open areas and fields.
Swamp (A. incarnata) – As its name implies, this species prefers moist soil, but it’s adaptable. It’s tall with lanceolate leaves and showy, pink flower clusters. It blooms in mid-to-late summer, in time for the monarchs to reproduce on their way south.
Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa) – This tall and beautiful species blooms from early summer to early fall. It can provide food for both portions of the migration and will attract all types of butterflies. The vibrant orange flowers are showy, and it prefers dry to medium soil types.
Purple (A. purpurascens) – This species is simply beautiful and blooms early in the year, in time for the northward migration. It’s tall with glossy foliage and rounded clusters of purple blooms. It prefers moist soil and grows well in sun or partial shade.
Poke (A. exaltata) – Tall and graceful, this species prefers partial shade. It grows as tall as six feet and sometimes taller. Its name comes from its resemblance to poke weed. It’s a late spring to summer bloomer, and has graceful, drooping clusters of small white flowers.
Southeast
If you live in the Southeast, you may see monarchs pass through in the spring on their way north. However, the most crucial period for regional milkweed in the Southeast is in the fall.
In fall, monarchs pass through the Southeast before crossing over the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of the most critical periods in their reproduction cycle. Florida is a significant spot for monarchs as they pause here and produce a super generation.
This super generation is larger, stronger, and longer lived than other generations. This generation has to complete the migration to central Mexico. This is where tropical milkweed is a problem.
Tropical milkweed is what monarch caterpillars eat in early spring in Mexico. This is when they reproduce for the long flight back over the Gulf. By planting tropical milkweed outside its native region, monarchs can become confused. They may stay and try to overwinter in places that are too cold.
While it is common to find this species in the Southeast, it’s one we should avoid planting. The larvae of that super generation need regionally native food sources. Here are some of the milkweed species that are native to the Southeastern United States.
Green Antelopehorn (A. viridis) – This drought-tolerant species blooms in spring in time for the northward migration. It’s low-growing, clumping, and has clusters of small, greenish-white flowers. It’s tolerant of poor soil types and drought tolerant, too.
Swamp (A. incarnata) – This species is critical as it blooms in late summer and early fall. This is one of the most important sources of food for this region. It’s easy to grow and adaptable, but it prefers moist soil. It is not regional to Louisiana, though.
Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa) – Another significant species, this also blooms in late summer and early fall. It likes plenty of sun and well-drained soil. The bright orange flowers attract tons of pollinators.
Aquatic (A. perennis) – A lesser-known, but valuable species, this thrives in wet conditions and blooms for an extended period. It provides food for butterflies coming and going, and is predominantly native to the Deep South.
Whorled (A. verticilliata) – This species is delicate and beautiful. The fine foliage resembles pine needles, and clusters of tiny white flowers top the graceful stems. This is a late summer to early fall bloomer, important for the long flight south.
Purple (A. purpurascens) – This is a less common, but stunning species that blooms in spring. The flowers are bright and fragrant, making them ideal for ornamental gardening. It prefers moist soil and tolerates partial shade. In Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina, opt for another listed here, as it does not occur naturally in any of these states.
Northwest
In the Northwest, monarchs are present but in smaller, more scattered numbers. They arrive in the Northwest in early June and hang around until about early October. The Western monarch population overwinters in California rather than Mexico. They gather along the coast in clusters on trees.
Habitat loss and a decline in native food sources have caused a serious decline in this population. Conservation efforts in this region are important, as they visit this area during their breeding season. Here are the species you should plant in your Northwestern garden.
Showy Milkweed (A. speciosa) – This is the most widespread and important milkweed species in the Northwest region. It’s highly adaptable and produces large clusters of pinkish-purple flowers. It handles drought well once established, and also tolerates occasional flooding.
Narrowleaf (A. fascicularis) – Another important species, this species is great for drier landscapes and blooms throughout the summer. It has fine, delicate foliage and produces the loveliest, pale pink flower clusters.
Heartleaf (A. cordifolia) – This beautiful species is native primarily to California and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It has attractive, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of dark pinkish-purple flowers. It’s a spring and early summer bloomer and tolerates both dry and moderately moist soil types.
Southwest
Western monarchs overwinter in parts of California and Arizona. These areas are critical to their populations. West of the Rocky Mountains, there are crucial stopover sites for populations in spring and fall.
The varied elevations and microclimates in this region are essential for monarchs during climate extremes. Cool, mountainous areas provide respite during hot spells. Lower-lying desert regions offer early spring bloomers at a time when most areas are still too cold.
This area of the country also serves as a transition zone between the two populations (Eastern and Western). It is a vitally important region for maintaining genetic diversity and migration connectivity. Here are the species of milkweed you should plant in this region.
Desert (A. erosa) – Highly drought-tolerant, this is an essential species for monarchs. You’ll find this one in arid valleys, on rocky hillsides, and in desert washes. It tolerates prolonged periods of intense heat and drought. Great for waterwise and rock gardens.
Antelope Horns (A. asperula) – This low, sprawling species is important to the drier parts of this region. The foliage is slightly fuzzy, which protects it from intense sun and heat. For an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant, it’s quite ornamental with large clusters of green and purple flowers.
Zizotes (A. oenotheroides) – This tough and drought-tolerant species is important for monarchs’ spring reproduction. It’s valuable in hot, dry, open habitats and tolerates any soil type as long as there’s proper drainage.
Showy (A. speciosa) – This common and widespread species is a spring boomer, necessary for monarch reproduction. The broad, ovate leaves are blue-green with a velvety texture. It’s adaptable to all soil types and tolerates heat and drought.
Rush (A. subulata) – A desert dweller, this species is critical for desert pollinators. It’s nearly leafless and thrives in highly arid conditions. The pale cream-colored flowers bloom in spring and summer.
Pineleaf (A. linaria) – Distinctive and drought-tolerant, the fine, needle-like foliage makes this species stand out. The small, shrubby shape and foliage resemble those of a rosemary plant. The flowers, which are delicate and white, bloom from April to August, providing an important food source for monarchs.
