How to Grow Common Milkweed Asclepias Syriaca

A perfect addition to any garden, milkweed also serves as the host plant for those gorgeous, flashy, orange and black butterflies we all adore; the monarch.

Preparing a Site for Milkweed Seeds and Plants

Clear away all debris and weeds from a sunny site in your yard. Chop in enough organic matter to loosen compacted soils and help sandy areas retain a bit of water. Though milkweed is drought tolerant it helps to keep them watered until they establish themselves in their new home. Common milkweed prefers well draining soil as opposed to heavy clay.

Successfully Transplanting Mature Milkweed

Though people may say it is impossible to transplant milkweed; it is not. If done carefully milkweed can be successfully transplanted. Just follow these few steps;

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1. Try to transplant early in the morning or in the cool of the evening.
2. Carefully lift the entire taproot when digging the plant.
3. Water the flower bed before and after you plant the milkweed.
4. Try and provide some shade until the plant recovers from the shock of being dug.
5. Pinch off the top of the plant; this way it can spend its energy on recovering; instead of keeping unnecessary foliage or blooms alive.
6. Do not fertilize the milkweed; as this could possibly cause further stress on the plant.

Sowing Milkweed Seeds

After the danger of frost has past plant the seeds 1/8 of an inch deep; adding too much soil on top of the seeds will inhibit them from germinating. In about 10 days seedlings should be starting to sprout. When the seedlings get their true leaves thin them out so they will have good air circulation (this prevents rot).

Make sure to keep the soil moist (not soggy) until the plants have their true leaves and a better root system. After the milkweed is established it is pretty drought tolerant and can go for longer stretches without additional watering.

Collecting Milkweed Seeds

When the seed heads dry and start to crack open a bit; it is time to remove them and sort out the chaff (useless plant matter).

Milkweed seeds, once dry can be successfully stored for later planting. Store seeds in a dark, dry place until ready to plant.

Cold Stratifying Milkweed Seeds

A simple and effective way to cold stratify milkweed seeds is to plant them in shallow containers in damp sand and place them in the refrigerator for a 6-8 weeks. The seeds will germinate better with cold stratification.

When the time comes to plant the seeds, plant the seeds and the sand. There is no need to pick the seeds out of the growing medium.

Ongoing Care for Milkweed Plants

Milkweed, once established, will take care of itself for the most part. Mulching around each plant will prevent weeds and cut down on having to water the plants.

Fertilize milkweed 3-4 times a year with an (insect safe) water soluble fertilizer. A natural, organic compost tea would work beautifully.

If caterpillars are found munching on leaves; leave them alone! If one is so lucky, they will soon have home grown monarch butterflies in their yard!