Propagating native milkweeds for restoring monarch butterfly habitat

Abstract

The number of monarch butterflies, charismatic nomads of North America, is rapidly declining. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), which are the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, have also experienced a decline throughout the breeding range of this butterfly. Milkweeds can be grown from seeds or vegetatively from root cuttings or rhizomes. Seed germination is often improved with stratification and plants are easily grown with standard propagation methods. However, some species require adjustments to the substrate to reflect unique soil conditions of their natural habitat. We encourage you to grow and outplant milkweeds to create habitat for monarch butterflies and help restore their populations.

Citation

Landis, Thomas D.; Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2015. Propagating native milkweeds for restoring monarch butterfly habitat. International Plant Propagators’ Society, Combined Proceedings (2014). 64: 299-307.