My milkweed brings butterflies to the yard: Here's how you can support monarchs
It's spring. When planning your garden, consider planting native milkweed.
Monarch butterflies need our help.
Adverse weather conditions in 2024, coupled with a steady and ongoing decline in milkweed, the sole food source for caterpillars, resulted in a 96 per cent reduction in parts of the U.S.
It's a big, multi-faceted problem.
But there is one cheap and easy way you can make a difference.
Milkweed 101
All you need to do is plant native milkweed plants on your property.
Female monarchs exclusively lay their eggs on milkweed, and, as mentioned above, it's the only thing caterpillars will eat.
A dwindling milkweed population has a direct impact on monarch numbers. Loss of milkweed isn't the only challenge facing the species, but supporting the growth of native variations is a step in the right direction.
Planting milkweed
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Choose varieties native to your region. Not sure what those are? Some organizations, like monarchbutterflies.ca, will send you free milkweed seeds if you pay shipping costs. You can also contact your local botanical gardens for guidance on what native varieties will have the biggest impact on your community.
Milkweed is a sun worshipper. Plant milkweed in areas that receive full sun, and with soil that has good drainage to prevent root rot.
Enjoy! Once milkweed is established, it's a low-maintenance plant, but keep an eye on your garden. Some varieties are known to spread aggressively.
Milkweed is a perennial and can live up to twenty years in your garden. In other words, choosing to plant it can have a positive impact on several future monarch generations.
Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.