How to Plant Milkweed
- Scatter seeds on top of the soil and cover with about ¼ inch additional soil.
- Seeds will germinate in 7-10 days.
- Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart.
- Transplant seedlings when 3-6 inches tall.
- Plant transplants in blocks rather than long rows. ...
- Water after planting and keep soil moist until plant are established.
- Add mulch around the plants to keep the soil moist and discourage weeds.
How do you prepare milkweed seeds for planting?
Step Two – Prepare the Seeds (Cold Stratification)
- Soak the coffee filters in water and shake off any excess water. ...
- Place 5-8 seeds in each wet filter, folding the filter over them to keep them securely inside.
- Put the filters in the plastic bags, 1 filter per plastic sandwich bag, and seal the bags shut.
- Label each sandwich bag with the type of milkweed!
When do you plant milkweed?
You can plant them closer and then thin the plants as they grow in, or, plant Swamp Milkweed and its cultivars between 30” and 36” apart. Planting Time: Milkweed plants can be planted in spring or fall. In spring, your milkweed plants will likely arrive in a dormant state, with no green leaves above the soil line.
How do you grow milkweed?
How to Grow Milkweed
- Water plants if soil is dry, but avoid overwatering.
- Plants generally do not need supplemental fertilization.
- Avoid using insecticides/herbicides in areas around milkweed.
- Plants may not bloom the first year, but leaves will still provide a food source for butterfly caterpillars.
How fast does milkweed grow?
how fast does milkweed grow? The seeds will take approximately 10 days to germinate. Once there are 4 true leaves on the seedlings (the seedlings will be approximately 3 inches tall), the plants can be transplanted into your garden. Most milkweed species do best in full sunlight, so choose an open area with lots of sun.
What month do you plant milkweed?
Ideally, the best time to plant milkweed seeds is in the fall so the cold temperatures and moisture that come with winter stimulate germination. You can also plant milkweed in the springtime.
Where is the best place to plant milkweed?
Plant in full sun locations. Soil: There is a Milkweed variety for every landscape. Common Milkweed grows well in average garden soil. Swamp Milkweed, as its name implies, will do best in a moist environment, making it great for wet meadows or rain gardens.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
It is not recommended to plant milkweed within 10 miles of the coast in central and northern California where milkweed did not occur historically. Instead, plant a variety of flowers native to your region that provide nectar from early spring through fall to support monarchs and other pollinators.
Do milkweed come back every year?
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. Cut back milkweed stalks in the late fall or winter, after they have produced seed pods and these seeds have had time to mature.
Why is milkweed a problem?
Tropical milkweed becomes a problem when planted in temperate areas where it does not die back in winter. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves.
Does milkweed spread easily?
“Common milkweed spreads by rhizomes (underground runners or roots) which is why it can be such an aggressive spreader. By planting it within a fairly dense planting of other native species, you leave minimal room for the rhizomes to travel.”
Why is milkweed illegal?
That's because people have been planting the wrong species of milkweed, thereby increasing the odds of monarchs becoming infected with a crippling parasite. Habitat loss in both the United States and Mexico has long been the main threat to the North American monarch population.
What is a good companion plant for milkweed?
A few companion plants that come to mind include Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), coneflower (Echinacea), Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia), bergamot (Monarda), goldenrod (Solidago), ironweed (Vernonia), and various asters.
Is milkweed toxic to dogs?
Is Milkweed Poisonous to Dogs? Milkweed sap is toxic to animals, including pets and horses, if consumed in large quantities. The ASPCA reports that milkweed can contribute to poisoning in dogs and cats. Cardiovascular warning signs from any kind of milkweed ingestion include abnormal heart rhythm and rate.
Are coffee grounds good for milkweed?
GROUND THEM: Those naughty aphids need a time out, so keep them away from their favorite milkweed plants by sprinkling coffee grounds around them.
Should milkweed be cut back?
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.
How invasive is milkweed?
Myth #1: Milkweed is an invasive weed It may have “weed” in the name, but there are over 100 species of milkweed native to the United States and none of them are considered “noxious weeds”.
What can I plant next to milkweed?
A few companion plants that come to mind include Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), coneflower (Echinacea), Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia), bergamot (Monarda), goldenrod (Solidago), ironweed (Vernonia), and various asters.
How fast does milkweed grow?
Once the plant is big enough, you can simply place the entire plant, pot and all, into the cage. After the larvae have eaten the leaves, simply cut the plant off about two inches above the soil and new shoots will grow in 3-4 weeks.
Which milkweed is best for monarch butterflies?
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.
What if Monarch caterpillars run out of 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.
Milkweeds Are Beautiful American Wildflowers and Delightful Garden Plants
With their fragrant flowers, which grow in clusters like little bells, all milkweeds are a magnet for butterflies. Four different species of native...
When and Where to Plant Milkweed
Beware of look-alikes! Here, a Viceroy butterfly and a Swallowtail visit Milkweed. Unlike a Monarch, Viceroy's have an extra, black horizontal line...
How to Grow Milkweed Throughout The Season
Growth habit: Most milkweed species are clump-forming. However, Common Milkweed is a single stemmed variety.Staking: None needed.Watering: Swamp Mi...
Milkweed: End of Season Care
Dividing & Transplanting: None needed. Swamp milkweed in particular, develops a deep tap-root and resents being moved. To avoid unwanted volunteer...
How to Plant and Grow Milkweed
Milkweed is a native wildflower beloved by monarch butterflies. There are a number of popular species suited for cultivation in the garden. Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for milkweed in your garden—and support butterflies!
About Milkweed
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the best known species of the over 100 perennial milkweed species native to North America. Milkweed plants support 12 species of butterflies and moths, including the Monarch butterfly.
How to propagate milkweed?
Propagating common milkweed by taking cuttings can be easier than dividing rhizomes because milkweed tends to grow deep taproots, which can be tricky to dig up. With cuttings , you can create new plants in a short period of time which is ideal if you want to get a quick start to creating your butterfly garden. Here are the steps for propagating milkweed plants with cuttings:
How tall does milkweed grow?
Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. The stems and leaves bleed a milky sap when cut, which gives the plant its name. In late spring to mid-summer, fragrant clusters of pink-purple flowers appear.
How does Asclepias syriaca spread?
Asclepias syriaca spreads both via seeds and rhizomes, forming colonies . At the very least, you may wish to remove the seed pods before they open. Otherwise, they will spread to distant corners of your yard (and beyond), thanks to the silky appendages that allow the seeds to waft on the slightest breeze.
What is milkweed attractive to?
Attractive to Monarch Butterflies. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterflies —especially the monarch, ...
How many types of milkweed are there in the US?
There are over 100 native species of milkweed plants in the United States, including common milkweed. In addition to common milkweed, here are some of the most popular types of milkweed within the Asclepias genus, which come in different heights and colors:
What is milkweed?
Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterflies —especially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit.
What mix of perlite to peat moss for potting?
Place stems standing up in potting medium that is an 80/20 mix of perlite to peat moss.
How to grow milkweed from seed?
Scatter your seeds 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) apart on the soil surface. Drop about 2-3 milkweed seeds onto the surface of the soil in each cup. Then cover your seeds with 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) more soil. Press the soil down flat with your fingertips to seal the seeds in place.
How to cold treat milkweed seeds?
Purchase a large bag each of peat and potting soil, as many plastic seeding trays as you'd like, and milkweed seeds at a gardening store. Mix 1 part peat with 1 part potting soil in a large pot. Scoop the mix into plastic seed trays with a spoon or a trowel, filling each cup of the tray.
How to germinate seeds in plastic trays?
Mix 1 part peat with 1 part potting soil in a large pot. Scoop the mix into plastic seed trays with a spoon or a trowel, filling each cup of the tray. This method of cold-treatment will allow you to germinate your seeds directly from these trays near springtime.
How long does milkweed seed last?
Try to leave about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) of space between each seed in each cup. Store the seed trays in a cool, dark place for at least 3 weeks and up to 3 months. Place your seed trays in a refrigerator, shed, or basement room that stays around 41 °F (5 °C).
How to plant seeds in the fall?
4. Plant seeds directly in a garden bed in the fall to cold-treat outdoors. If you prefer to skip the process of cold-treating and germinating your seeds inside , you have the option to plant your seeds directly in a prepared garden bed in the fall.
How to cover seed flats?
If yours does, put the lid back on. If it doesn’t, place your seed trays in plastic shopping bags and wrap the open end underneath the tray. Or, cover each tray with kitchen plastic wrap.
How to soak up water from seed trays?
Fill a watering can with water from your sink or garden hose. Use the watering can to soak the soil in your seed trays. Allow the water to drain out of the bottom of the trays. Take the seed trays outside for this step, or place them over old rags to soak up the water that runs out.
How to plant milkweed seeds in the fall?
How To Plant Milkweed Seeds In Fall: Water. Once you’ve pressed the seeds into the soil, give the area a good watering to set the seeds. Because you’re planting in the fall, you won’t need to water after this until early spring when the seeds start to germinate. Butterfly Weed in bloom. And that’s that!
How much sun does milkweed need?
You can plant the seeds anywhere. Milkweed is extremely forgiving when it comes to soil and really only requires full sun (at least 6-8 per day).
What is milkweed good for?
Most milkweed share the same advantages in the garden: they thrive in all regions, tolerate almost any soil type, bloom in the early-mid summer, are deer resistant, and — of course — attract bees, butterflies, and more to the garden. So how do you decide which varieties to plant in your garden? It’s really personal preference. The most common varieties are orange Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and pink Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), but there are dozens of other varieties to choose from. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) is native to the Midwest and boasts light green/white blooms that illuminate in the moonlight. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a red, showier variety.
Why is milkweed important to butterflies?
Milkweed, also known as Asclepias, is one of the best native wildflowers for attracting pollinators to the garden and is the sole host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Many gardeners realize the importance of adding milkweed to their gardens to help the disappearing Monarch population.
Why add milkweed to garden?
Many gardeners realize the importance of adding milkweed to their gardens to help the disappearing Monarch population. But Milkweed is also a decorative and showy addition to the garden, offering up tufts of long-lasting blooms in the summer months.
Why space seeds out by hand?
I spaced the seeds out by hand to make sure they weren't overcrowded come spring.
How to remove old growth from a garden?
Depending on the size of your area, you can either remove existing growth by hand and then rake the soil up before planting, or use a rototiller. Rototillers are often available for rent at your local hardware store for a minimal fee.
How to plant milkweed seeds?
Sow milkweed seeds by scattering them on the soil surface 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Water frequently after planting until plants become established. Many species need to be vernalized (cold treated) ...
How to grow milkweed without cold?
The most successful means of milkweed vernalization is through stratification. By stratifying, or subjecting seeds to a cold/moist environment for a short period of time, you simulate the conditions of a seed's natural break of dormancy ...
How long does it take for a plant to grow after larvae eats the leaves?
After the larvae have eaten the leaves, simply cut the plant off about two inches above the soil and new shoots will grow in 3-4 weeks. When planting seed outdoors, keep in mind that all plants have optimal soil temperatures for germination, which makes propagation a little more difficult.
How to grow milkweed from seed?
They get this when planted outside, but to speed up the growing process, treat the seeds through stratification. Place seeds into a container of moist soil, cover with a plastic bag, and refrigerate for at least three weeks.
What is the milkweed flower?
The Milkweed Flower. The milkweed flower ( Asclepias syriaca) and its cousin butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa) are an integral part of the butterfly garden, a source of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Growing milkweed supplies the larvae of the Monarch with food and shelter, providing caterpillars food and a resting place ...
Why is milkweed important?
As the plants can be toxic, consumption of the plant protects caterpillars from predators. Historically, the milkweed plant was valuable when grown for its medicinal properties. Today the silky material attached to its numerous seeds is sometimes used for filling in lifejackets.
What color are milkweed leaves?
Leaves grow from a thick stalk and are large and green, taking on a reddish color as the plant matures. In youth, leaves are waxy, pointed, and dark green, later dropping from the stem and allowing the milky substance to exude from the growing milkweed. Stems become hollow and hairy as the plant matures. The milkweed flower is pink to purple ...
Why do milkweed plants need to be removed from seed pods?
Seeds are contained in an attractive pod that bursts and sends seeds drifting through the air, borne by wind. This is a reason to remove seed pods when you grow milkweed plants.
Can milkweed be planted in northern gardens?
Growing Milkweed Seeds. Milkweed often does not begin growing in northern gardens in time to be fully beneficial to butterflies. There you can start seeds of milkweed inside so they will be ready to plant when the soil has warmed. Milkweed plants benefit from vernalization, a process of cold treatment, before sprouting.
Can milkweed be moved?
The milkweed plant grows from a long taproot and does not like to be moved after planting outdoors. Mulch can help conserve water. Grow milkweed plants in mixed borders, meadows, and natural areas. Grow milkweed plants with tubular-shaped, shorter flowers in front of them to offer more pollen to our flying friends.
Where do monarch caterpillars migrate?
Once monarch caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies, they need the right food that can not only assure they survive but that can also power their long winter migration to Mexico or the California coast. Be sure to include flowers that are native to your region, since these are plants monarchs have relied on and are suited to the local environment .
How to watch monarch caterpillars grow?
Instead of raising monarch caterpillars in your house, you can watch wild monarch caterpillars grow from eggs to butterflies by monitoring the milkweed plants you have just grown in your yard.
What is the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat?
Milkweed is vital for the monarch’s life cycle. It’s the only plant monarch caterpillars eat. These caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the plant before consuming its leaves.
Why do you ask your local nursery to treat your plants with pesticides?
When plant shopping, ask your local nursery if they treat their plants with pesticides because you want to avoid toxic exposure to the monarchs. Our friends at the Xerces Society and their partners, have put together these guides for nectaring plants by region:
Can you plant milkweed in Santa Barbara?
One final point: If you live north of Santa Barbara within 5 miles from the California coast, do not plant milkweed. Instead, plant nectar-rich flowers that match these areas’ natural vegetation and the monarch’s migration habits.
Does milkweed harm monarch butterflies?
The reason? Planting non-native types of milkweed risks monarch butterfly health. In many areas, non-native, tropical milkweed survives through the winter, allowing ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), a parasite that can be found on monarchs and milkweed, to build up to dangerous levels. On the other hand, with native milkweed, the parasite dies with the plant in the winter, ensuring that new milkweed grows with less risk from the parasite when monarch butterflies return in the spring.
How to grow milkweed in a garden?
Planting plugs of started milkweed is one way to grow milkweed in your garden.
How to store milkweed seeds?
Store them in an envelope at 40 degrees F or in the refrigerator to stratify until you are ready to plant in spring. Step 1: Harvest seed pod from milkweed plant. Pick pods as they turn brown, dry and mature. The brown dried pod in the upper left is just beginning to split open — perfect to harvest the seed.
Why stratify milkweed seeds?
Planting milkweed seeds. Milkweed seeds need to be stratified to help them germinate. Stratification is when a seed is moistened, chilled or frozen and thawed, breaking down germination inhibitors on the seed coat, such as waxes, hormones, oils or heavy coats.
How to plant a seed in the fall?
Fall seed planting. Plant seed in fall in a sunny location. Simply sprinkle seeds on well-tilled soil and pat them down, add a topdressing of soil, and water them in. Fall-sown seed will be naturally stratified outside.
How long does it take for a seed to germinate?
Sow 2 to 3 seeds in a pot filled with seed-starting mix, cover with ¼ inch of mix, water lightly and set under lights. Germination takes 7 to 10 days.
Can milkweed seeds be removed?
The seed cluster can then be removed carefully from the milkweed pod. When fully ripe and dried, the seeds will be easily separated from the floss.
Can you collect milkweed seeds?
It’s also easy to collect milkweed seed (be sure to ask property owners first) and start it yourself. See the gallery at the bottom of the article for our tips on how to collect seeds.
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Overview
Significance
- Milkweed is the single most important source of food for the threatened monarch butterfly, and planting a patch or two in your landscape is an important contribution to the continued existence of the species. The butterflies use the plants for all stages of their lifecycle, so watching the caterpillars feast on leaves, create their chrysalises, then mature and hatch into butterflies can b…
Safety
- It is important not to use pesticides in a butterfly garden, as the same chemicals that kill destructive insects will also kill butterflies and their larva. Most gardeners find, though, that once a garden goes chemical-free, it establishes a good balance of beneficial, predatory insects, as well as providing songbirds with a source of food (many bird species consume large quantities of ins…
Causes
- Plant milkweed about 18 inches apart; their rhizomatous roots will quickly fill in the space between plants. There's no need to fertilize milkweed plants, as they tolerate poor soils. Your biggest maintenance challenge with them will probably be in containing them. Asclepias syriaca spreads both via seeds and rhizomes, forming colonies.
Cultivation
- Milkweed spreads easily via rhizomatous roots; cutting root sections and planting them so the roots are just buried will easily propagate the plants. Milkweed can also be grown easily from collected seeds planted about 1 inch deep in the garden.
Toxicity
- Common milkweed leaves and roots are toxic to humans, but only if it is consumed in large amounts. The plant has actually been a food source for Native American tribes, who carefully prepared it by cooking. Wild-food enthusiasts continue to cook and eat the plant today. However, eating large quantities of unprepared milkweed may cause bloating, fever, difficulty breathing, di…
Types
- Many find butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), with its bright orange flowers, a more attractive type of milkweed than the common milkweed. Another type of milkweed is swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), which is a good choice for moist soils.
Uses
- This is not a particularly attractive plant, but in addition to its value in attracting butterflies, the seed pods can be used in dried flower arrangements. The flowers are also quite fragrant, and gardeners specializing in native species often grow milkweed. Milkweed has a history of medicinal use, but be aware that the leaves and the milk-like substance within are poisonousit's …
Management
- There are no serious disease or pest problems with common milkweed. The most serious issue is its aggressive spreading habit. Removing seed pods will prevent the plant from self-seeding far and wide. Periodically, you may need to dig up the plants during fall and discard all but selected portions of the roots to keep the plant tamed in the garden.