How to Transplant Milkweed

4/26/2020

7 Comments

Spring is a great time to transplant milkweed plants! Milkweed has a deep taproot and it is best to transplant when the plant is small and the tap root is not as deep. If you cut off too much of the taproot then it is not likely to succeed.

I found a milkweed plant growing in a bed of lettuce in my garden that had most likely been grown by seed dispersal last year. Luckily, the soil was fairly loose and it was easy to dig deep enough to get the entire tap root. If you are interested in transplanting a plant from the wild or somewhere not on your property, seek permission before doing so. In addition, make sure that you know it is milkweed before digging. Here is a clear guide on milkweed identification if you have any doubts.

1. It is best to transplant milkweed in the spring when the plant is small. Transplant on a day that is cloudy or during the cooler morning/evening hours. This will make it less stressful on the plant.

2. Choose a small plant no more than 6 inches tall to transplant.

3. Dig so you have a root ball that extends outward a few inches on all sides of the stem and at least 6 inches deep.

4. Find an area in your yard that receives full sun.

5. Once in the ground, water thoroughly.

7 Comments

Juanita M Strait

6/29/2020 11:50:01 am

I have to move 2 milkweed plants that will get damaged by work being done if I leave them. I have no choice but to move within the next 7-10 days. We are going to be in the mid to high 80's! Any tips & advice? Please. Please.

Marcha Ann Garn

6/1/2022 09:15:19 am

For any transplant in hot weather, sunny locations I use a box to shade the plant for a few days and keep the soil moist around it and lightly spray the leaves with water.

Henderson Dick and Ann

9/7/2020 10:10:01 am

transplanting milkwees from a pot to a bed

Chelsea

2/19/2021 08:59:30 pm

I've had zero luck direct-sowing my milkweed--critters get to it every time. I started some inside and am hoping to be able to successfully transplant it out in a month or two...fingers crossed at least some of it takes! Thanks for posting this, obviously I'm going to have to harden it off since I started it indoors, but I didn't realize it would get such a deep taproot so I'm definitely going to have to get it out early so it doesn't get root-bound!

Grace Murray

4/25/2022 05:35:37 am

Try using peat pots for starting seed. Much less trauma to the roots. Be sure to remove any peat above the soil line as this wicks moisture from the soil. I use seed starter mix to encourage root growth mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with whatever soil they are going into. Good luck!

christian sagnard

8/18/2021 01:27:18 am

I have a lush flower garden, but without milkweed. A friend just now brought us a small milkweed plant. This week a Monarch Butterfly laid a few eggs on it. 5 small caterpillars appeared a few days later. I read that the caterpillars will need more milkweed than I would have for their needs. I went to an old construction site about to be raised and found common milkweed. I tried to dig under the taproot without success due to large rocks. Most of the taproot was lost. I put the plant stems and some root in a bucket of water. Is there a chance that some small roots will grow in the water so that I may plant it later ?

Leslie J Francque

8/23/2022 01:25:01 pm

I would like to out new milkweed plants in my garden but need to know how to pull up the exsisting plants that I think are diseased.

How to Transplant Milkweed

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