If planting in fall, give milkweed enough time to become established before winter. Want to know when to plant milkweed in pots or when to plant milkweed seeds? Both the seeds and the plants can go into the ground in the spring or fall. If you want to learn how to plant milkweed seeds and plants, read on for more answers to common questions. Finally, how long does it take to grow milkweed? Milkweed seeds germinate slowly. Will milkweed grow back every year? Usually, yes, it will. Do milkweed plants spread? After its first season of growth, the plant spreads quickly, both by rhizomatic activity through an underground root network and mature fruit (large pointed seed pods known as follicles) emanating seeds that scatter in the wind. Given the right conditions, these native plants need little care. Growing milkweed is relatively easy, once established. While monarch butterflies depend solely on milkweed as larvae, many other pollinators also enjoy the nectar, including other types of butterflies, honeybees, native bees, and hummingbirds. This fragrant wildflower will enhance your space and attract pollinators, so it’s an inviting and important addition to a pollinator garden. Due to urbanization, farming techniques, and herbicides, milkweed isn’t available in the quantities it once was. If you have a sunny meadow, field, or garden, you might consider planting milkweed seeds to save the beautiful monarch butterfly. RELATED: 12 Ways to Rewild Your Suburban Plot Planting Milkweed Plants Showy milkweed ( Asclepias speciosa ) is a drought-tolerant variety found in western prairies and savannas, where light pink-to-purple flowers bloom for extended periods. Although its flowers are not as stunning as some varieties’, this native to 41 states is an-easy care plant-often a volunteer plant. It has a single stem and long, thin leaves that whorl out from the main stem. Whorled milkweed ( Asclepias verticillata ) is an example of a thin-leaf variety of milkweed.A long-lasting plant, it features hairy stems but has no milky sap. Butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) likes drier soil for its bright-orange flowers.It prefers well-drained soil in undisturbed areas. Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) is another monarch favorite that features pink flowers.Swamp milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata ) features pink and white flowers that monarch butterflies (and dragonflies) love.Here are some common ones you might want to try: There are approximately 100 varieties of milkweed. Because of this, get to know the ones that grow best in your area. There are native milkweeds that benefit the monarch butterfly with narrower leaves, but most have the telltale round flower cluster. That sap is medicinal and is used to treat some heart conditions. When its stems or leaves are broken, a sticky white sap appears-the inspiration for its name. Large clusters of small light-pink, purple, or white flowers are very fragrant. Those leaves are soft and velvety, due to fine “hairs” on the underside that help protect monarch butterfly eggs. Many milkweed species are easily identifiable by their tall, thick stalks supporting broad, flat, rounded leaves. Most have clusters of small pink or white flowers tropical milkweed has yellow-orange flowers, and butterfly weed has bright orange flowers. Native to many parts of North America, more than 100 different native species, both perennial and tropical, can be found. Milkweed belongs to the Asclepias genus of plants. Safety: Toxic to people and pets Milkweed Characteristics Water: Doesn’t need watering except in extreme conditions Soil: Well-draining tolerates clay soil and poor, dry conditions pH 4.8 to 7.2 Native to North American prairies and wetlands, milkweed is a tough wildflower that doesn’t require a lot of pampering. Is milkweed easy to grow? Given the right conditions, it’s not a tough plant to cultivate by any stretch. RELATED: Grow This, Not That: 12 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing Milkweed at a Glance Thus, it’s important for as many people as possible to learn how to grow milkweed to preserve monarchs and other pollinators. This has contributed to an 80 to 90 percent decline in monarch butterfly populations. However, urbanization, agriculture, monoculture, and the use of herbicides and pesticides have decimated natural milkweed habitats. The many species of milkweed are native plants in most of the U.S.
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