How to Choose Which Milkweed to Plant

Milkweed, or Asclepias, is the sole food plant for monarch caterpillars and due to its increasing scarcity, one of the biggest factors contributing to the decline of the monarch butterfly.

Milkweed is in one of the largest genera of plants with over 200 species. It may seem daunting on how to choose the right one but we are here to help!

Consider these 3 things when buying your milkweed.

1. Is the milkweed native to your region?

A native plant is described as a plant that is indigenous to a given geographic area and existed in North America before European settlement. Native plants support local species of insects and promote a biodiverse ecosystem. Insects have evolved with specific plants and depend on them for food, shelter and defense against predators. As we know, the sole food source for monarch caterpillars is milkweed and without this plant, they could not survive!

Grow Milkweed Plants recently released a great tool for finding out which species of milkweed is native to your country and state. Simply click on your region for a list native milkweeds. For more information on species of milkweeds visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

2. Has it been treated with pesticides?

If you are purchasing milkweed from a nursery, be cautious and make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides. A large amount of plant nurseries will spray their plants with insecticides in order to make them look healthier and deter insects. If caterpillars feed on plants that have been sprayed with  pesticides, especially systemic insecticides, they will die when they consume any part of the plant.

3. Could I harvest the seeds myself?

Plants that grow well and are adapted to a particular environment or ecosystem will grow better than other plants even within the same species. This is because they are genetically better suited to thrive in that particular environment. These plants are called local genotypes and if you have access to wild milkweed plants growing in your area, the best possible thing you can do is harvest the seeds yourself. 

If you live in North America, you can't go wrong with these widespread species of Milkweed plants. Most are commercially available. 

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Native Range: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Description: This tall perennial has large balls of pink or purplish flowers that have an attractive odor. The flowers bloom from June to August.
Growing Conditions: Shade intolerant, needs lots of sunlight, moist soil
Plant Size: Usually 3-5 feet (90-150 cm), sometimes reaching 8 feet (240 cm) in ditches and gardens

Buy from our store HERE!

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Native Range: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV
Description:  Sometimes called Orange Milkweed, this perennial has large, flat-topped clusters of yellow-orange or bright-orange flowers and blooms May to September.
Growing Conditions: Needs sunlight, drought tolerant, dry or moist soil
Plant Size:  1-2 ft (30-60 cm)

Available in our Pollinator Garden Mix!

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

​Native Range: AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY
Description: Also known as Pink Milkweed, this perennial has large blossoms composed of small, rose-purple flowers. The deep pink flowers are clustered at the top of a tall, branching stem and bloom June to October.
Growing Conditions: Needs lots of water, shade tolerant, moist to wet soil
Plant Size: 2-5 ft (60-152 cm)

Antelope Milkweed (Asclepias asperula)

Native Range: AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, NE, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT
Description: Also known as Spider Milkweed, this perennial is clump-forming with stems that are densely covered with minute hairs. As the green seed pods grow, they curve to resemble antelope horns. It has pale, greenish-yellow flowers, tinged maroon that bloom March to October.
Growing Conditions: Needs sunlight, dry or moist soil, medium water use
Plant Size: 1-2 ft (30-60 cm) tall

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)

Native Range: AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY
Description: This perennial has large, oval, blue-green leaves and spherical clusters of rose-colored flowers. The flowers occur at the top of the stem and on stalks from leaf axils and bloom May to September.
Growing Conditions: Shade intolerant, needs sunlight, medium water use, moist soil
Plant Size: Generally 1 ½ – 3 ft (46 – 91 cm) but can reach 6 ft (183 cm) under favorable conditions

White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata)

Native Range: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Description: This perennial has small white flowers with purplish centers crowded into round, terminal clusters that resemble snowballs and blooms May to September.
Growing Conditions: Low water use, dry soil, moderately shade tolerant
Plant Size:  1-3 ft (30- 91 cm)

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Native Range: AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY
Description: This single-stemmed perennial has narrow, linear leaves whorled along the stem. Small, greenish-white flowers occur in flat-topped clusters on the upper part of the stem and bloom May to September.
Growing Conditions: Low water use, moderately shade tolerant, dry soil
Plant Size: 1-3 ft (30- 91 cm)

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)

Native Range: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, WV
Description: Also known as Green Antelopehorn Milkweed, this perennial has white flowers – mostly one per plant and lacks the “horns” seen on Antelopehorn Milkwed. These milkweeds bloom from May to August.
Growing Conditions: Needs sunlight, cold and heat tolerant, moist soil, low water use
Plant Size: Matures to 4 ft (122 cm) in height

Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)

Native Range: AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
Description: The milky juice from this perennial is known to remove warts. The flowers are deep magenta red and bloom May to July.
Growing Conditions: Needs sunlight and dry soil
Plant Size: 2-4 ft (61 to 122 cm)