One of the best ways to see monarch butterflies is by enticing expectant mothers to lay eggs on your milkweed plants. There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America and these are some of the best ones for your butterfly garden. Try
planting several varieties to increase your odds of seeing (and supporting) magnificent monarchs… For most in the US and Canada, the best time to find monarch eggs on milkweed leaves is June through August, while adult butterflies can be seen from April through October. Here are 30 varieties of this herbaceous perennial to consider for your butterfly garden…
Click on any of the underlined green links below to buy milkweed plants or seeds for your butterfly garden…or to share the gift of monarchs with friends and family. Look up your USDA plant hardiness zone by clicking here Asclepias asperula (antelope horns)This compact milkweed but has beautiful green flowers with complementary purplish accents. It has narrow leaves and is native to the western half of the US. Can be grown in full sun to partial shade and adapts to wet or dry soils. native plant region: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma Texas perennial region: USDA plant hardiness zones 7a-9a Buy Asclepias Asperula Plants or Seeds from Joyful Butterfly Find Antelope Horns Milkweed on Amazon Buy Asclepias Asperula on Etsy Get Asclepias Asperula Milkweed from eBay Asclepias cordifolia (heartleaf milkweed)The other purple milkweed is aptly named for it heart-shaped leaves. The deep-purple flower petals are contrasted beautifully by a light pink corona. This milkweed grows up to two feet and prefers a rockier soil. native plant region: California, Nevada, Oregon perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b Buy Heartleaf Milkweed Plants & Seeds on Joyful Butterfly Buy Asclepias Cordifolia on Etsy Buy Asclepias Cordifolia on eBay Find Asclepias Cordifolia on Amazon Asclepias cryptoceras (pallid milkweed) There is not a lot of info available on this rare western native. It is a compact milkweed species growing 1-3′. It boasts showy green flowers with contrasting purple centers. It prefers dry, sandy soils. It actually survived one Minnesota winter and curious to see if it comes back this season. If you have experience growing this variety, please post a comment at the bottom of this page. native plant region: Arizona, Idaho, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 6a-10b (‘Davis’ var. possibly hardy to zone 4) Buy Pallid Milkweed Seeds Here Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed)This beautiful, well-behaved asclepias is a favorite of both gardeners and monarchs alike. With an early start in northern regions (or if you buy plants) tropical milkweed can serve as a popular host plant and nectar flower for monarchs hummingbirds, and bees all season long. More Tropical Milkweed Info There are currently studies taking place to assess the negative impact tropical milkweed could have on monarch health and their migratory behavior. Discover how to grow tropical milkweed safely for monarch butterflies. perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Find Tropical Milkweed Plants and Seeds on Joyful Butterfly Buy Tropical Milkweed on Amazon Get Asclepias Curassavica on Etsy Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed ‘silky gold’)perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Buy Asclepias Curassavica ‘Silky Gold’ on Amazon Find Silky Gold Milkweed on Etsy More Silky Gold Plants and Seeds here Asclepias eriocarpa (Indian or woolly pod milkweed)This species has pink and white flowers with fuzzy leaves. Both a host plant and nectar flower for monarch butterflies on the West Coast. Drought tolerant. native plant region: California perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 6a?-9b Find Woolly Pod Milkweed Seeds here Buy Asclepias Eriocarpa on Etsy Asclepias exaltata (poke milkweed)This species can be grown in partial shade and exhibits vigorous growth in moist soils similar to swamp milkweed. It’s fragrant white flowers weep elegantly toward the ground. Discover the dirty details of this under-utilized garden milkweed by clicking here. native plant region US: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Ontario, Quebec perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-7b Buy Poke Milkweed from Joyful Butterfly Find More Poke Milkweed Seeds Here Asclepias fascicularis (narrowleaf milkweed)An easy-to-grow Western milkweed with pink/white blooms and skinny leaves. Narrowleaf milkweed grows in a wide range of soil conditions from garden soil to clay. Very drought tolerant, but can also survive seasonal flooding. native plant region: California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 6a-10b Buy Asclepias Fascicularis from JB Find Narrowleaf Milkweed on etsy Find More Asclepias fascicularis here Asclepias hirtella (tall green milkweed)Tall green milkweed is not commonly grown in gardens, but can be found in prairies, meadows, and wildflower fields. It prefers full sun and can be grown in a wide range of soil conditions. Its elongated blooms are white with a tinge of purple at the base. They attract butterflies and a variety of beneficial bees. This milkweed species grows up to 4 feet tall. Hirtella is also a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Approach this variety with a sense of adventure for the garden… native plant region US: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Ontario perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 4-9 Tall Green Milkweed Seeds from Joyful Butterfly Find Asclepias Hirtella on Amazon Get Tall Green Milkweed on etsy Asclepias humistrata (pinewoods or sandhill milkweed)A Southeastern milkweed with a somewhat serpentine growth habit. The leaves are distinctively purple-veined and the flowers are white with a hint of purple. Sandhill milkweed grows well in dry or sandy soils, and tops out around 3 feet tall. A. humistrata is a monarch host plant and the flowers are popular with pollinators. native plant region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 8a and Up Find Asclepias humistrata seeds on etsy Look for Asclepias humistrata here Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)A favorite summer nectar source of the monarch and also a good host plant for caterpillars. The blooms are also popular with other butterfly species and beneficial pollinators. Click the following link for more swamp milkweed info. native plant region US: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming native region Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-8b Buy Swamp Milkweed Plants & Seeds from JB Get Asclepias incarnata from Etsy Find Swamp Milkweed on Amazon Asclepias incarnata (‘ice ballet’ swamp milkweed)A beautiful white-flowered cultivar of Asclepias incarnata. It’s slightly shorter than the original growing between 3-4 feet. It’s mildly fragrant and serves as a nectar plant for many butterflies and a host plant for monarchs. Grow as a companion plant with the traditional pink variety to attract more monarchs. native plant region US: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming native region Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-8b Find ‘Ice Ballet’ Swamp Milkweed on Amazon Buy Ice Ballet Milkweed on etsy Asclepias linaria (pineneedle milkweed)This southwestern desert milkweed has narrow pine-like leaves. Amazingly, it’s still a host plant for both monarch caterpillars and their cousins, the queen caterpillars. It’s drought tolerant and grows wild on rocky slopes, deserts, and mesas. It is growing in popularity with western gardeners. The white blooms also provide nectar to honey bees and bumble bees from spring through late summer. native plant region: Arizona, California, New Mexico perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 9-10 Asclepias ovalifolia (oval-leaf milkweed)Oval-leaved milkweed is named for its oval-shaped leaves. It grows on a single stalk and blooms in late spring and early summer. This dwarf milkweed prefers sandy and/or well-drained soil. There isn’t much info about this milkweed species in a garden setting, so plant it as a supplemental milkweed to accompany more tried and true varieties. native plant region US: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming native region Canada: All perennial region: ?? Find Asclepias Ovalifolia Seeds for your Garden Buy Asclepias Ovalifolia Seeds on Etsy Asclepias perennis (aquatic milkweed)Aquatic milkweed can be grown in sun to partial shade and prefers moist soils like swamp milkweed. It has white flowers and blooms repeatedly throughout the season. It’s a great pollinator plant for bees and a preferred native milkweed for monarch caterpillars because the leaves stay viable throughout the season. This 2-3 ft. white milkweed adjusts well to container life. native plant region US: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 6a-9b Buy Asclepias Perennis for your garden on etsy Find Asclepias Perennis Seeds and Plants on Amazon Asclepias purpurascens (purple milkweed)Purpurascens is similar in appearance to common milkweed, but the blooms are a deeper purple color and this species won’t take over your garden with aggressive rhizomes and seeding. Learn more about this rare milkweed variety on our purple milkweed page. native plant region US: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Ontario perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Purchase Purple Milkweed plants and seeds from Joyful Butterfly Find Purple Milkweed Seeds on etsy Get Asclepias purpurascens on ebay Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed)This species has flowers that resemble a cluster of brilliant pink stars. It does spread through underground rhizomes, but is not reported to be an aggressive spreader. It attracts both bees and butterflies. Click here for more info on speciosa native plant region US: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming native region Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Buy Showy Milkweed Plants and Seeds from JB Find More Showy Milkweed Seeds Here Asclepias sullivantii (prairie milkweed)
native plant region US: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin native region Canada: Manitoba perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b Purchase Prairie Milkweed Seeds or Plants from Joyful Butterfly Find Prairie Milkweed on Etsy Buy Asclepias Sullivantii Seeds on Amazon Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed)This milkweed species is vital for early generations of monarchs. It’s provides a bounty of thick, green foliage for growing monarch caterpillars from spring through mid-summer. Though it can be invasive, there are ways to make it behave in your garden that are very effective. Visit the common milkweed page for more info. native plant region US: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b Buy Asclepias Syriaca Seeds and Plants from Joyful Butterfly Buy Common Milkweed on Etsy Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed)A hardy orange-flowered perennial that is reported to be a popular nectar plant with many butterfly species. Unlike other milkweed species, Asclepias tuberosa leaves don’t have milky sap. It is also a less frequently used host plant for monarch caterpillars growing through the butterfly life cycle. Find out more on our butterfly weed plant page. native plant region US: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Ontario, Quebec perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Buy Asclepias Tuberosa Plants and Seeds from Joyful butterfly Find more Butterfly Weed on Etsy Asclepias tuberosa (‘hello yellow’ butterfly weed)‘Hello yellow’ is a yellow-flowered native cultivar of Asclepias tuberosa. I’m still gathering reports from gardeners on this variety so try a patch or mix some in with your regular butterfly weed and monitor to see how this variety measures up in your butterfly garden. native plant region US: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin native region Canada: Ontario, Quebec perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Find ‘Hello Yellow’ Butterfly Weed on Etsy Buy Hello Yellow Butterfly Weed Plants and Seeds here Asclepias variegata (redring milkweed)A rare beauty indeed. This milkweed earns it nickname from the reddish/purple contrasting rings that surround each white flower. Some gardeners have reported more success growing Asclepias variegata in dry areas with partial shade. Unfortunately, this variety is stingy with its seeds, so buy some if you get the opportunity! native plant region US: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia native region Canada: Ontario perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Find Asclepias variegata on Etsy Find Redring Milkweed for your garden Here Asclepias verticillata (whorled milkweed)This is reported to be a host and white-flowered nectar plant. Don’t rely on it as your main milkweed source for caterpillars, or you may run out of milkweed by mid-season. Whorled blooms later in than season most other native milkweed, bursting forth with snow white blooms between July and September. Nectar source for bees and wasps. native plant region US: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming native region Canada: Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 3a-9b Get Whorled Milkweed Plants and Seeds from Joyful Butterfly Buy Asclepias Verticillata Seeds on amazon Asclepias viridis (spider milkweed)An early season milkweed with compact growth that could be integrated as a border plant for taller milkweed species or nectar flowers. More Photos and Details about Asclepias Viridis native plant region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 4b-9b Buy Asclepias Viridis Seeds and Plants Here Find more Asclepias viridis on amazon Get Spider Milkweed on etsy Calotropis gigantea (giant milkweed)
perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 10 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Commonly grown in Hawaii and south Florida. Find Calotropis Gigantea on Etsy Find Giant Milkweed Plants and Seeds on Amazon Calotropis procera (milkweed tree)A rare exotic milkweed that is beginning to make a presence in North America. It is a host plant that can feed lots of caterpillars, and also a fragrant nectar flower. Learn more about Calotropis procera on its plant page. perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Commonly grown in Hawaii. Find Calotropis Procera Seeds More Calotropis Milkweed Here Cynanchum laeve (honeyvine milkweed)
native plant region US: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia perennial region: USDA hardiness zones 4a-9b Find Cynanchum laeve on Etsy Buy Honeyvine Milkweed on eBay Gomphocarpus fruticosus (swan plant milkweed)Swan milkweed is similar to the goose plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) listed below but it has a shorter growth habit with thinner leaves. The seed pods are also pointed on the end (like a swan’s beak) while the balloon plant pods are completely circular. (The former botanical name for this milkweed is Asclepias fruticosa.) See more photos and get more info about swan milkweed here. perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Find Swan Plant Milkweed Seeds on Etsy Gomphocarpus fruticosus Seeds on Amazon Gomphocarpus physocarpus (balloon plant)
Balloon plant’s surprisingly hardy milkweed leaves stay viable through the first frost. This unusual milkweed species has a couple of suggestive (but very fitting) nicknames. See the Gomphocarpus physocarpus page for more details. (The former botanical name for this milkweed is Asclepias physocarpa.) perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Buy Gomphocarpus Physocarpus Seeds and Plants from Joyful Butterfly Click Here to Buy Balloon Plant Milkweed Tweedia caerulea (southern star)Tweedia is a vining milkweed with pretty blue flowers, and skinny seed pods that resemble tropical milkweed. It has been reported to be a successful host plant for monarchs in New Zealand and California, but I would not depend on it as a monarch host. In our northern garden, it has served as a pollinator plant for other butterflies and bees. Tweedia is a good milkweed option for growing in containers with its long summer bloom period. (The former botanical name for this milkweed is Oxypetalum caeruleum.)
perennial region: Can be grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 and up. Grow as an annual or overwinter in colder zones. Buy Tweedia Milkweed from Amazon Get Tweedia Milkweed from etsy Are you also looking for nectar flowers to support butterflies and other beneficial pollinators? Check out our butterfly plants page.
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