Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is a tough, beautiful, and ecologically vital group of native perennials known for their milky sap, bold clusters of flowers, and critical role in supporting pollinators—especially monarch butterflies. With over 100 species native to North America, milkweed comes in a wide range of colors and forms, from the swamp-loving types to dry prairie specialists.

Beyond its famous relationship with monarch caterpillars, milkweed is long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow once established. Its unique flowers provide nectar to a wide array of insects, and the upright stems and structural foliage make milkweed a stunning addition to native, pollinator, and meadow gardens.

Soil (pH) Requirements

Milkweed grows well in a range of soils, depending on the species, but most prefer well-drained conditions and a neutral to slightly acidic pH, generally between 6.0 and 7.0.
Soil Tips

• For dryland species like butterfly weed, avoid rich or compact soils.
• Swamp milkweed thrives in moist or clay-rich areas.
• Adding compost to average soil can help improve moisture retention and root health.

Sun Requirements

Milkweed plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to grow vigorously and produce abundant blooms.
Light Preferences

• In shaded areas, plants become leggy and flower poorly.
• Best in open meadows, sunny borders, or along fences with full exposure.

Watering Requirements

Once established, most milkweeds are remarkably drought tolerant, but their watering needs vary slightly depending on the species.
Watering Guidelines

• Water young plants regularly during their first growing season.
• Mature plants generally need minimal irrigation, unless during extended drought.
• Swamp milkweed prefers more consistent moisture than others.

Best Plant Hardiness Zones

Milkweed species vary in their hardiness, but many are perennial in USDA Zones 3–9.

Common milkweed and swamp milkweed are cold-hardy.

Tropical milkweed is frost-tender and behaves as an annual in colder regions.

Once established, native milkweeds are long-lived and spread readily.

Milkweed’s Popularity and Pollinator Importance

Milkweed has become a symbol of habitat restoration and pollinator gardening, especially for monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars can feed only on milkweed leaves, making this plant an essential part of their lifecycle.

Yet monarchs aren’t the only ones who benefit. Milkweed’s intricate, nectar-rich flowers also attract:

• Honeybees, which feed on its abundant nectar
• Native bees, especially long-tongued species like bumblebees
• Hoverflies and wasps, which also act as pest controllers
• Beetles, including milkweed beetles and soldier beetles
• Butterflies of all kinds—not just monarchs
• Hummingbirds, occasionally drawn to its floral clusters

Like sunflowers—which attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies—milkweeds support a vast pollinator web, with the added bonus of serving as a larval host plant.

Five Milkweed Varieties to Know and Grow

Common Milkweed

The most well-known native milkweed, this species produces globe-shaped clusters of pinkish-purple flowers atop tall, upright stems that grow to a height of 3-5 feet. Its large leaves are ideal for monarch caterpillars.

Best Uses

• Native meadows and pollinator sanctuaries
• Monarch habitat restoration
• Naturalized wildflower borders

Pollinator Power: Common milkweed is a top nectar source for monarchs, honeybees, native bees, and swallowtail butterflies.

Zones: 3–9

Butterfly Weed

This standout variety has fiery orange blooms and a tidy, compact form. Unlike most milkweeds, its sap is clear. It thrives in dry, sandy, or gravelly soil and grows to a height of 1-3 feet.

Best Uses

• Sunny perennial beds and rock gardens
• Drought-tolerant or xeriscaped gardens
• Front-of-border planting

Pollinator Power: Attracting bees, skippers, and monarchs alike, its vivid flowers are also magnets for hoverflies and beetles.

Zones: 4–9

Swamp Milkweed

Graceful and elegant, this moisture-loving variety has clusters of pink to mauve flowers and narrow leaves. It prefers wetter soils and is ideal for rain gardens. It grows to a height of 3-5 feet.

Best Uses

• Rain gardens or pond edges
• Monarch nurseries in moist meadows
• Mixed native plantings in low areas

Pollinator Power: A steady source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Monarch caterpillars also feed heavily on its foliage.

Zones: 3–9

Showy Milkweed

Native to the western U.S., showy milkweed lives up to its name with large, fuzzy leaves and dramatic pink starburst blooms. It resembles common milkweed but prefers drier, well-drained conditions and grows 2-4 feet high.

Best Uses

• Western native-plant gardens
• Prairie and pollinator restoration projects
• Accent plant in mixed dry borders

Pollinator Power: Its massive flower heads attract monarchs, long-tongued bees, wasps, and butterflies, making it a favorite in arid climates.

Zones: 3–9

Tropical Milkweed

Also called bloodflower, this tender species offers bold red and yellow blooms and is popular in southern and subtropical gardens. In cold climates, it’s grown as an annual. It reaches a height of 2-4 feet.

Best Uses

• Container gardens for pollinators
• Seasonal color beds with a purpose
• Educational butterfly gardens

Pollinator Power: A prolific nectar producer, it draws monarchs, swallowtails, bees, and hoverflies. However, it should be cut back in Fall in warm climates to avoid disrupting monarch migration cycles.

Zones: 8–11 (annual elsewhere)