Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed, so a monarch garden starts with butterfly weed, swamp milkweed or common milkweed — then adds late-summer nectar flowers like liatris, Joe Pye weed, asters and goldenrod for the adults.
- Milkweed — The only food for monarch caterpillars: butterfly weed for dry sun, swamp milkweed for moist soil.
- Blazing Star — Purple spikes monarchs feed on in August.
- Joe Pye Weed — Tall, nectar-rich flowers for late summer.
- Aster — Fuel for monarchs migrating south in September.
- Goldenrod — Late nectar when little else blooms.
- Coneflower — Long-blooming nectar stop.
- Bee Balm — Summer nectar for butterflies and bees.
- Ironweed — Deep purple flowers on tall stems.
- Black-Eyed Susan — Bright, easy late-summer color.
- Mountain Mint — Covered in butterflies in July.
Butterfly Weed 'Cinderella'
Asclepias 'Cinderella'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance
Butterfly Weed 'Hello Yellow'
Asclepias 'Hello Yellow'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance
Butterfly Weed 'Incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)'
Asclepias 'Incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Fragrant
- Low maintenance
Butterfly Weed 'Milkmaid'
Asclepias 'Milkmaid'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance
Butterfly Weed 'Syriaca (Common Milkweed)'
Asclepias 'Syriaca (Common Milkweed)'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Fragrant
- Low maintenance
Butterfly Weed 'Tuberosa'
Asclepias 'Tuberosa'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance
- Award winner
Tips
- Plant milkweed in groups of three or more so caterpillars have enough to eat.
- Expect chewed leaves — that’s the caterpillars doing their job. Skip insecticides near milkweed.
- Monarchs arrive in Maine in June and head south in September; plan nectar from July through fall.
- Butterfly weed is slow to come up in spring; mark the spot so you don’t dig into it.
Frequently asked questions
Which milkweed is best for Maine?
Butterfly weed for dry, sunny spots; swamp milkweed for moist soil; common milkweed for meadows where it can spread.
Why aren’t monarchs laying eggs on my milkweed?
Give it time — monarchs find new plants in a season or two. Groups of plants in full sun get found faster.
Is milkweed safe around pets?
Milkweed is toxic to pets and livestock if eaten, so plant it away from animals that chew plants.
Does common milkweed spread?
Yes, it spreads by underground runners. Butterfly weed and swamp milkweed stay in clumps.