Collection: Asclepias - Milkweed

Milkweed plants in the genus Asclepias are the essential host plants for Monarch butterflies: adult females lay eggs on the foliage, and the caterpillars rely on milkweed leaves as they grow. The intricate flowers also provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making these perennials valuable additions to habitat and pollinator gardens.

Milkweed species vary dramatically. Flowers may be white, pink, rose, orange, yellow, or greenish, while plants range from compact clumps to taller or spreading colonies. Sun, soil, drainage, cold tolerance, summer-water needs, and dormancy timing differ by species, so choose a milkweed suited to your region and garden conditions. Many established plants disappear completely during dormancy and return when seasonal growth resumes.

Allow newly planted milkweed time to establish a healthy root system and adequate foliage. Avoid pesticides that can harm caterpillars or visiting pollinators, and expect some chewed leaves in a successful Monarch garden—that is the whole delicious point.

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