Milkweed Care

by Tina Chang

As the media continues to publish news of monarch butterfly populations’ steady decline, you may find yourself wondering what you can do to help save this phenomenal creature. Can an individual’s small actions really make a difference to such a large-scale problem? Absolutely: the most impactful way to help boost monarch populations is to conserve and restore monarch habitat. Planting milkweed in your garden is the single most important thing you can do at home to improve the monarchs’ chances.

Thank you for helping by getting milkweed home!

Find a spot in your garden with partial to full sun (5-8 hrs) partially sheltered from wind right after you purchased the milkweed. Water for the first 2-4 weeks to help the plants to take roots. Don't be afraid to cut off some stems when you see wilting leaves to preserve energy for the plants. 

Butterflies prefer to lay eggs in wind-sheltered areas. Quiet areas next to shrubs, fences, or walls are perfect locations for pollinator gardens. It is important to have productive soil that will encourage the milkweed to grow, amended soil with a neutral pH does best. 

While there are many native kinds, I still find Tropical ones the most hardy. As long as we trim the milkweed down to 6-8 inches in October every year, they can grow back stronger and it helps the Monarch to hibernate during winter instead of laying eggs.