growing milkweed from seed

Milkweed seed can be planted directly in soil, or started indoors. You can sow milkweed seeds by scattering them on the soil surface 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover them with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established.

How long does it take for Milkweed to grow from seed?

Cold-stratified Milkweed seeds should germinate and sprout within 10-15 days after planting.

Is milkweed hard to grow?

This showy native wildflower is easy to grow, cold hardy, and does well in poor, dry soi... Common Milkweed is the most-well known of the milkweeds – and an important food source and host plant for Monarch butterflies.

Does milkweed come back every year?

Perennial milkweeds grow back year after year. They provide habitat for traveling Monarch butterflies. If the milkweed is a perennial, like Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed) pictured above, you'll notice tiny leaves growing from the base of the plant at some point after the upper stems have been consumed.

Can I plant milkweed seeds in the fall?

Although you can plant Milkweed in the spring after cold stratification and starting seeds indoors, fall is the easier — and more natural — time to plant. ... In short, direct sowing milkweed seeds in fall is much easier than planting in the spring.

Does milkweed flower the first year?

In general, milkweed may not flower in the first year of growth, because it is investing its resources in growing a strong root system. ... Luckily, monarchs will lay their eggs on milkweed even if it is not flowering! The caterpillars eat the leaves of the plant, so your milkweed can still be a host plant without flowers.

Will my milkweed grow back after caterpillars?

If the caterpillars have striped your milkweed plant bare can you save the plant to re-grow ? Hi Kelcey, Yes, even if the caterpillars have eaten all the leaves and the plant is just stems, after a while, new leaves will sprout and grow. My milkweed plants have been stripped several times.

Do hummingbirds like milkweed?

Milkweed is a must-have butterfly plant. Not only is it the host plant for monarchs — hummingbirds (and many other butterflies) like these flowers too. There are dozens of varieties available, but swamp milkweed seems to be the monarch and hummingbird favorite in our yard.

Is milkweed poisonous to dogs?

Milkweed does contain toxins that can be harmful to pets, livestock and people. The milky sap for which it gets its name leaks out from the stem or leaves. This sap contains toxins called cardiac glycosides or cardenolides, which are toxic to animals if consumed in large quantities.

Does milkweed need full sun?

Most milkweed species evolved in open areas where they were exposed to full sunlight and they will do best if they are planted in the sunniest areas of your gardens. A few species, such as A. purpurascens, appear to require partial shade. The timing of the collection of milkweed pods or seeds is critical.

How many milkweed plants should I plant?

For gardens, we recommend that you plant about 20-30 milkweed plants per 100 square feet. Milkweed plants should be spaced 1 foot apart, placed in clusters of 3-4 milkweeds.

What if Monarch caterpillars run out of milkweed?

Most enthusiasts have found most success with butternut squash as a substitute for milkweed leaves. Some of the other vegetables that have successfully been fed to Monarch caterpillars in the last instar (last few days) are cucumber, zucchini, and pumpkin.

Should milkweed be cut back in the fall?

It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. ... Re-cut the milkweed every few weeks as leaves re-sprout.

How deep should milkweed seeds be planted?

Once the seed is broadcast, work the seed into the soil to a depth of 1/8th inch. This can be accomplished by flipping over a garden rake and lightly moving the seed and the soil/mulch. Straw may be added but is not necessary. Often time, straw introduces weed seed that competes with the milkweed plants.

Do milkweed seeds need to freeze?

Cold Stratify Milkweed Seeds to Increase your Germination Rate. Most milkweed species planted in North America need a cold moist stratification to encourage spring germination. ... When we have started native seeds indoors, I've simply put the seeds in a plastic bag, then placed them inside a refrigerator for about a month ...

Do all milkweed plants have pods?

All milkweed species develop a seed pod and they look very similar.

Are there male and female milkweed plants?

Milkweed flowers occur in rounded clusters at stem ends and in upper leaf axils. ... The flowers have both male and female parts, but must be cross-pollinated by insects to form seeds.

Does milkweed bloom all summer?

After a long-bloom that can last much of the summer, seed pods will form that open in the fall, starting the cycle anew. You can collect these seeds once the pods have begun to turn brown and open, sowing your own milkweed seeds.

How long do milkweed plants live?

There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America and the diversity of foliage and flower color is quite amazing. All milkweeds are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for more than two years. In fact, most milkweeds will live for several years if cared for properly.

How many caterpillars can one milkweed plant support?

The Milkweed in Picture #3 is a southern variety and is a very nice specimen. Each stem has about 10 leaves. A 4 foot plant this size will feed only 5 Monarch caterpillars! Each monarch caterpillar will consume 20 or more large leaves.

Why do my monarch caterpillars keep dying?

One caterpillar can have a billion virus particles in its body. The virus causes caterpillars to crawl upward before they die. The caterpillar or chrysalis turns to liquid and the virus particles drip and splash, covering a large area as it rains or we water or gardens. ... When this happens, the caterpillar will die.

Does anything eat monarch caterpillars?

Predators such as spiders and fire ants kill and eat monarch eggs and caterpillars. ... These predators are easy to see, but monarchs also suffer attacks from parasites, organisms that live inside the monarchs' bodies. Some parasites that kill monarchs are insects themselves; these are called parasitoids.