Butterflies are a welcome sight in any garden. To attract these beautiful pollinators, many gardeners plant milkweed, the primary food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars.1 However, not all milkweed planting efforts yield the desired results.
Despite their adaptability, growing milkweed requires specific care to ensure it thrives and attracts butterflies.
Unfortunately, several common mistakes can hinder your milkweed’s growth and deter butterflies from visiting your garden. Here’s five important ones to avoid.
1. Planting Non-Native Milkweed Species
- The Mistake: Opting for readily available, non-native milkweed varieties like Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) over native species.
- The Impact:
- Disrupts Monarch Butterfly Migration: Non-native milkweed, especially in warmer climates, can bloom late into the season, confusing migrating monarchs and potentially causing them to lay eggs too late in the year.
- Promotes Disease: Tropical milkweed can harbor a parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), which weakens monarchs and can reduce their lifespan.
- Reduces Biodiversity: Planting only non-native species can displace native milkweed varieties, limiting the food sources available to other pollinators that rely on them.
- The Solution: Research and select milkweed species native to your specific region. These will be better adapted to your local climate and provide the most beneficial habitat for butterflies and other pollinators.
2. Overwatering
- The Mistake: Watering milkweed too frequently or excessively, especially in well-drained soils.
- The Impact:
- Root Rot: Overwatering can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that can kill the plant. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a foul odor from the soil.
- Reduced Vigor: Even if not fatal, overwatering can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to pests and diseases.
- The Solution: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water deeply but infrequently, ensuring the soil is moist but not soggy. Use a well-draining soil mix and avoid planting milkweed in areas prone to waterlogging.
3. Using Pesticides
- The Mistake: Applying pesticides or herbicides near milkweed plants.
- The Impact:
- Kills Butterflies and Caterpillars: Pesticides can directly harm butterflies and their caterpillars, even if they are labeled as “organic” or “safe for pollinators.”
- Disrupts the Food Chain: Pesticides can also kill beneficial insects that prey on pests that might affect milkweed, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem.
- The Solution: Avoid using any pesticides or herbicides near milkweed plants. If you need to control pests, consider natural methods such as handpicking or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings.
4. Planting in the Wrong Location
- The Mistake: Planting milkweed too close to other plants, structures, or areas with heavy foot traffic.
- The Impact:
- Competition for Resources: Milkweed needs adequate space to grow and access sunlight, water, and nutrients. Planting too close to other plants can result in competition for these resources, leading to stunted growth and reduced flowering.
- Caterpillar Vulnerability: Planting near structures or areas with frequent disturbances can make caterpillars more susceptible to being accidentally stepped on or brushed off the plant.
- The Solution: Choose a location that provides ample space for milkweed to grow and spread. Ideally, plant in a dedicated pollinator garden or meadow away from high-traffic areas. Consider the mature size of the milkweed variety you’re planting and space plants accordingly.
5. Not Providing Adequate Shelter
- The Mistake: Failing to provide wind protection or other forms of shelter for milkweed plants and the butterflies they attract.
- The Impact:
- Plant Damage: Strong winds can damage or even break milkweed stems, especially when plants are young or in bloom.
- Butterfly Discomfort: Butterflies need sheltered areas to rest, feed, and seek protection from the elements. Without suitable shelter, they may be less likely to visit and stay in your garden.
- The Solution: Plant milkweed in areas with natural wind protection, such as near shrubs, trees, or fences. You can also create artificial windbreaks using stakes and burlap or other materials. Consider adding features like rocks, logs, or brush piles to provide additional shelter and resting spots for butterflies.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can further improve your milkweed habitat and create a more inviting and supportive environment for butterflies and other pollinators.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.