Five Favorite Native Milkweeds for Monarch Butterflies

If you want to attract Monarch butterflies to your garden you need to plant milkweed!

Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) lay their eggs exclusively on Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Milkweed is named for its milky sap, which consists of latex-containing alkaloids and several other complex compounds, including  cardenolides, which are toxic and help protect the caterpillar and butterfly from predators.

Milkweeds not only will attract Monarch butterflies to your garden but many other species of butterflies as well. The fragrant flowers are a favorite nectar source for Swallowtails (Papilio spp.).

There are approximately 72 different species of Milkweeds native to North America. Here are five of my favorites:

Common milkweed provides a fragrant nectaring station for all butterflies, as well as large leaves for Monarch and Queen (Danaus gilippus) butterfly caterpillars. Click here for Common Milkweed seeds.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), is a critical plant for Monarchs but has a spreading root system so it needs plenty of space. It’s a wonderful choice for natural areas and an excellent replacement for tough invasive plants in sunny spots. The blooms are quite fragrant and attract many other species of butterflies and pollinators.

  • Perennial in USDA Zones 4-9.
  • Native to most of the eastern US and eastern Canada.
  • Full sun, but will tolerate some shade.
  • Height 2-4 feet
  • Thrives on almost any well-drained soil, even tough clay or dry sand.
  • Spreads rapidly by rhizomes, so it is best planted in a large area.
  • Drought tolerant.
Swamp milkweed is very attractive to many species of butterflies as a nectar source. So not only will it attract Monarchs for egg laying, but it’s also a butterfly magnet. Click here to purchase seeds.

Swamp Milkweed (pink flowering) (Asclepias incarnata) usually grows in moist areas but it does not require a moist location in the garden. Swamp milkweed is well behaved in the garden and grow in clumps rather than invasively spreading around with underground rhizomes. It is a common addition to butterfly gardens as it is useful and pretty at the same time.

Swamp Milkweed will grow well in containers and can easily be grown from cuttings. It is highly preferred by the Monarch butterflies and females will readily lay their eggs on this plant.

Butterfly milkweed is an important nectar and larval host food source for Monarchs as well as other pollinators. Hummingbirds also visit the vibrant orange or yellow flower clusters for nectar rewards. Click here to purchase seeds.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is also called Pleurisy Root, Canada Root, Orange Milkweed, and Indian Paintbrush. It takes about two years before it flowers, but it is well worth the wait for the spectacular orange blooms. Unlike other milkweed species, the leaves don’t contain a milky sap.

The plant is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant, moderately salt tolerant, and does well in poor, dry soils.

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) has flowers that resemble a cluster of brilliant pink stars. Although it spreads through underground rhizomes, it is far less aggressive than common milkweed and is an excellent alternative. Showy milkweed is a major host plant of the Monarch butterflies in the Western part of the United States and Canada.

Aquatic milkweed is host to Monarch, Queen, and Soldier butterflies and provides nectar for many pollinators. Click here to purchase seeds.

Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis), also known as White Swamp Milkweed, is one of the few shade-tolerant milkweeds. This is an excellent choice for use as a Monarch host as it will remain evergreen in mild winters in zone 8B and warmer and is a good substitute for Tropical Milkweed for those looking for a reliable native perennial milkweed with a smaller compact habit. It will produce blooms the first year and bloom early summer until late fall. This is one of the few native milkweed seeds that do not need to be cold-stratified. Does well planted in containers.

    • Cold Hardy perennial in USDA zones 6 – 11
    • Native to the Southeast
    • 18″ – 24″ tall
    • Blooms from May until October


The absolute best way to help Monarch butterflies is to plant milkweed! Without a major effort to restore milkweed, the monarch population is certain to decline. Monarchs depend on milkweed for survival.

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