Okay, let’s talk milkweed. If you’ve ever watched a Monarch butterfly fluttering through your yard and thought, “I want more of that,” then we’re already best friends.
Seriously, milkweed isn’t just another wildflower, it’s the VIP pass to hosting Monarch butterflies.
And once I started planting different varieties in my backyard, I saw more Monarchs than I ever imagined. It’s like throwing a butterfly block party!
So today, I’m walking you through 12 must-try milkweed varieties that will turn your garden into the ultimate Monarch haven.
How Milkweed Attracts Butterflies?
Milkweed isn’t just a pretty plant with a funky name—it’s essential to the survival of Monarch butterflies.
Here’s the scoop:
- Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. No milkweed? No baby Monarchs.
- Milkweed provides nectar for adult butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
- With habitat loss and pesticide use on the rise, native milkweed in your garden helps fill the gap.
So by planting even one milkweed, you’re literally helping save butterflies. That’s a pretty cool legacy to have.
1. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
This was the first milkweed I ever planted, and it did not disappoint! It’s big, bold, and the Monarchs absolutely love it. With thick stems, broad leaves, and globe-shaped pink blooms, this variety can take over if left unchecked, but that’s part of its charm.
- Grows up to 5 feet tall, perfect for the back of garden beds
- Spreads through rhizomes, so give it room to roam
- Loved by bees and butterflies for its sweet-smelling blooms
🌼 I plant it in a sunny corner where it can do its thing, watching Monarchs feast on it is the best part of my day
2. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Don’t let the word “swamp” scare you off, it grows just fine in regular soil too! Swamp Milkweed is a little more well-behaved than Common Milkweed and has a neat, upright shape with lovely pink blooms that smell faintly like vanilla.
- Thrives in moist or average soil, great for rain gardens
- Blooms mid to late summer, drawing in Monarchs and hummingbirds
- Less aggressive spread, great for tidy borders or beds
💧 I have mine growing near my raised beds where I water often, it stands out like a pink spotlight when in bloom
3. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
If you want color that practically screams summer, go with this one. It’s got vivid orange clusters that just glow in the sunlight. Plus, it’s drought-tolerant and super low maintenance, aka perfect if you forget to water sometimes (guilty!).
- Compact and clump-forming, ideal for small spaces
- Tolerates dry, sandy, or rocky soils, loves the heat
- A true nectar magnet for butterflies and bees alike
🧡 I tuck these into my rock garden, and the butterflies can’t get enough of them, they’re a hit every year!
4. Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
This one feels like Common Milkweed’s elegant cousin. It has similar big leaves and starburst pink flowers, but it doesn’t spread as wildly, which I really appreciate. It gives you that wildflower look without taking over the yard.
- Grows about 3–4 feet tall, ideal for garden beds
- Native to the West, but does well elsewhere with sun and drainage
- Bold flowers and fuzzy leaves add visual interest
🌸 I mix it with purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans, it’s like a butterfly party all summer
5. Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
This one is a show-off, and I kind of love that. Its bold red and yellow flowers bloom non-stop, making it a favorite with butterflies. It’s not native, though, so you need to cut it back in fall to avoid confusing migrating Monarchs.
- Great for containers and annual beds in colder zones
- Blooms longer than most, continuous color all season
- Needs full sun and regular watering to thrive
🌴 I grow a few in pots on my patio, and Monarchs swoop in as soon as it starts blooming, it’s like a magnet!
6. Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
This one is a little harder to find, but if you can get your hands on it, do it! The blooms are a gorgeous deep pinkish-purple, and it prefers partial shade, which makes it perfect if you don’t have full sun everywhere.
- Grows to 2–3 feet tall, with deep green leaves and purple-pink flowers
- More shade-tolerant than most milkweeds
- Doesn’t spread aggressively, great for small gardens
💜 Mine lives in a part-shade bed with hostas, and it still brings in Monarchs like crazy, I baby it a little, but it’s so worth it
7. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
This one’s a minimalist dream, very fine leaves and delicate white flowers that look like lace. It stays small and tidy, making it perfect for edges, paths, or prairie-style plantings. Plus, it’s super tough.
- Grows only 1–2 feet tall, great for compact areas
- Very drought-tolerant and low maintenance
- Blends well in naturalized settings or wildflower meadows
🤍 I planted it along a gravel walkway and almost forgot about it, until I saw a Monarch laying eggs on it!
8. Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)
This one’s more subtle, but it’s a favorite in the South and Midwest. It’s heat-tolerant and tough, with pale greenish-white flowers that almost glow in early summer. Caterpillars seem to love it too.
- Thrives in dry, open fields and meadows
- Grows 1–2 feet tall with unique curved leaves
- Perfect for low-maintenance, sunny spots
🌿 I call this my “tough-love” milkweed, it handles neglect better than I do some weeks!
9. Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula)
The structure on this one is just wild. The flower clusters are shaped like antelope horns and look like little explosions of cream, purple, and green. It’s native to dry, rocky places, so if you’ve got poor soil, this is your buddy.
- Sprawling growth habit, great as a ground cover
- Excellent for xeriscapes or rocky terrain
- Blooms attract Monarchs, bees, and other pollinators
🦌 I planted it along a stone retaining wall, it looks cool, and butterflies love chilling on it
10. Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)
Have a shaded garden? You’re in luck! Most milkweeds love full sun, but Poke Milkweed thrives in dappled shade and woodland edges. The flowers are pale with purple hints and look like they belong in a fairy tale.
- Taller variety, grows 3–5 feet tall
- Blooms in early summer, offering an early nectar source
- Shade-tolerant, which is rare for milkweeds
🌳 I’ve got it growing along my backyard fence under a maple tree, and yep, the butterflies still find it
11. Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides)
I just like saying “Zizotes.” This tough little native is perfect for Southern states and handles hot, dry conditions like a champ. It has long leaves and pale green flowers that look understated but pack a punch for pollinators.
- Stays low, growing 1–2 feet tall
- Thrives in Texas, Gulf states, and hot climates
- Loved by Monarchs, Queens, and other butterflies
🔥 I planted a patch in the hottest corner of my yard, it’s basically butterfly central now
12. Spider Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora)
The name might sound creepy, but the plant is anything but. It has narrow leaves and light greenish-white flowers that look spidery, hence the name. It’s a little rare, so adding it to your garden makes it feel extra special.
- Grows in poor, dry soil, a survivor plant
- Small and non-aggressive, perfect for tight spaces
- Unique blooms that stand out from the typical pink and purple milkweeds
🕷️ I only found this one once at a native plant fair, and I guard it like treasure, it’s delicate, charming, and Monarchs approve
FAQs About Milkweed and Monarch Butterflies
How many milkweed plants do I need to attract Monarchs?
Honestly, even just a few plants can make a difference, but I recommend planting at least 3–5 of different types to offer a longer bloom window and more caterpillar food.
Do Monarchs like all types of milkweed equally?
Not exactly. They prefer native varieties because they’ve evolved together. Some tropical types attract adults but aren’t ideal for caterpillars long-term.
When should I plant milkweed?
Spring is ideal, but you can plant in late fall too. Just make sure your soil isn’t frozen, and give the roots time to settle.
Can I grow milkweed in containers?
Absolutely! Especially types like Butterfly Weed and Tropical Milkweed. Just make sure your pots drain well and get plenty of sun.
How do I collect milkweed seeds?
Wait until the pods dry and crack open. Then:
- Pull out the fluffy seeds.
- Remove the silk (or store them with the fluff if you’re lazy like me).
- Dry them thoroughly before storing in paper envelopes.
Wrapping It All Up: Your Garden, the Butterfly Magnet
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly ready to become a Monarch magnet—and I’m so excited for you.
Planting milkweed isn’t just gardening—it’s a form of conservation, beauty, and joy all rolled into one. Plus, watching Monarchs flutter around your yard? That never gets old.
Mix a few varieties. Add some nectar plants. Skip the chemicals. And just like that, you’ve got yourself a butterfly paradise.
🦋 Happy planting, my fellow milkweed warrior!