Milkweed
Table of Contents
Milkweed for Monarchs
A variety of species rely on milkweed, but monarch especially since it is the host plant for their offspring. Click the Monarch button to learn more about Monarch Butterflies.
Recommended Planting Density for Monarchs
"Recent research (Kasten et al., 2016) showed that the number of immature monarchs (eggs and larvae) in a given area increased as the number of milkweed plants increased, but only up to a point. This suggests a saturation effect, or a point at which adding more milkweed to a habitat will not necessarily increase the number of monarchs produced. When looking solely at the effect of milkweed density on monarch density, the tipping point found by Kasten et al. was 2,000 milkweed plants per acre, after which more milkweed did not result in more monarchs produced. Data defining the actual or realistic milkweed density on the landscape (and in different land uses) are limited, and current monitoring programs are addressing this data gap. However, the Monarch Conservation Science Partnership has used the best available science and expert opinion to classify an average expectation for milkweed density over a broad range of high quality habitats. This estimate, 200 milkweed plants per acre, was discussed in the context of what could be achieved over a large swath of sites across North America. " - Monarch Joint Venture: Setting Targets for Milkweed Stem Density
Useful Parts of the Milkweed Plant
Seeds
Grow more Milkweed!
Seed Oil
Silk / Floss
Silk floss is hypoallergenic, soft, silky, floats, and fun to craft with. Modern textiles are increasingly plastic-based, including stuffing for toys and safety gear, but we can change that and support farmers by searching or even requesting more eco-friendly alternatives like milkweed floss.
Currently one of the easiest places to buy it is Etsy, but if we could convince major retailers to provide milkweed textiles and crafting supplies from these alternative plants, then our shopping habits could help increase pollinator habitats, instead of adding to their destruction.
Life Jacket / Floatation Device
Clean up oil spills and other contaminants
Sap
Wart Removal
Put a fresh drop of milkweed sap directly on the elevated part of the wart two or three times a day. Sometimes this causes a slight burning or swelling. Don’t pick at the wart or scab if one forms. The wart will fall off on its own and leave a nice smooth surface. - HealthyDirections.com
Stem Fibers
Stem fibers have been used to make cordage and sturdy fabrics for thousands of years. Many cultures used whatever weeds grew locally including dogbane, nettle, and hemp. In North America milkweed was also used before settlers came and brought cotton which requires much more water than native species.
Guides
Local Bast: Adventures in Wild Retting "When it comes to bast fibers, extracting the usable fiber from the plant can take patience and practice."
Native Plants for Textiles: 3 Bast Fibers to Know Beyond Hemp and Flax "Bast fibers have been highly regarded for beautiful, durable textiles throughout history and into the modern era. As part of our ongoing Bast Fiber Research effort, Fibershed engaged mechanical engineer Nicholas Wenner to connect with bast fiber growers, researchers, processors, and artisans to better understand the state of soil-to-soil systems for these unique plants. In the plant, bast fibers transport dissolved sugars and lend structural support for the stem. In textiles, the fibers provide strength and many other unique properties. As crops, the plants can play a valuable role in crop rotations and provide high yields of both food and fiber with relatively minimal inputs."
Processing, Spinning and Knitting Milkweed Fiber "The milkweed plant produces a fiber that can be used by spinners." This blog shows step by step how to turn stalks into a knitted pouch.
5:40 minute video shows how to harvest, rett, buff, and more to make your own milkweed fiber.
Roots
Shoots
Buds
Flowers
Calls to Action
Buy & Consume Organic Products Sadly "organic" doesn't necessarily mean "chemical free" but it does reduce the chances of some of the most deadly chemicals being used on crops and even nursery plants. These chemicals hurting endangered species such as monarchs and other important pollinators.
Eat Plant-Based Foods Livestock and their feed use more land than any other industry. Beef alone causes 5 times more deforestation than any other industry, but the constant grazing of cattle, sheep, etc. significantly cuts down on wild flowers, even driving some to extinction.
Create a Monarch Waystation Make sure to avoid or remove invasive species, and to only plant or see local species, preferably a selection that monarchs and other pollinators specifically need.
Learn to use non-deadly pest-control solutions in the garden, or simply learn to live with non-invasive "pests" as they probably play some important roles in the eco-system despite some unfair hate people may have developed for them. For example: Slugs and snails are vital food sources for birds, so using poison will kill birds and their babies. Moles, prairie dogs, and ants are super important for aerating the soil, increasing the ability of water to permeate drought-struck soils, and even increase the nutrient content of soil with their droppings and nests.
If you have to mow in your Monarch/Pollinator garden then please consider making the adjustments recommended by Famers For Monarchs for pollinator-friendly mowing methods.
Use the right plants for your region to help monarchs. Milkweed is both food and a host plant for Monarch caterpillars, however Tropical milkweed isn't native to many places, and blooms past breeding season, increasing some serious health risks for the species.
Tools & Resources
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."Regional Milkweed Guides "are a series of regional guides to the native milkweeds of North America."
USA
State Planting Resources "This page is designed to get you quickly to the information you need to establish monarch habitat on your land. Click on the state in which you live below. You’ll then find information on:
Incentive and cost share programs - these programs include technical help and cost sharing and can be tailored to your needs
Commercial seed providers and resources – find local and regional seed providers to work with to establish monarch and other pollinator habitat
Technical assistance – organizations listed under technical assistance will walk you through the process and are there to answer any questions you may have
Informational resources – there is a wealth of information out there to help you make your decisions. We’ve compiled the best state-specific information to help you better understand the issues and what you can do to help."
Organizations & Programs
Farmers for Monarchs "Identifying and implementing solutions on agricultural and ranching lands to achieve a sustainable monarch butterfly population "
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) "is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. We will move millions of individuals, kids and families outdoors and make a connection between pollinators and the healthy food people eat."
Maps
International
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Europe
UK
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
Texas
Monarch Garden Grants "The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway."