Planting These "Weeds" Will Help Increase the Monarch Butterfly Population

Would you like to help the severely endangered monarch butterflies? There are “weeds” you can plant every season to help increase their population.

“So many people and organizations have come together to try and protect the butterfly and its habitats.” Anna Walker, a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said, emphasizing that there is renewed hope for increasing the monarch butterfly populations.

You, too, can become one of the heroes by planting monarch butterfly plant favorites!

Best of all, they are easy to plant and maintain, and you can host beautiful butterflies right in your backyard garden!

Here are some of the top “weeds” you can consider for every season.

Providing Nectar and Shelter in the Spring

In early spring, the monarch butterflies begin their journey northwards back from their overwintering grounds in Mexico and Southern California.

Unlike their predecessors, apart from the long journey, they also reproduce along the way, requiring shelter and lots of energy in the form of nectar.

Here are the plants to grow:

1. Siberian Wallflower (Erysimum hieraciifolium)

The Siberian wallflower is a monarch's favorite springtime flower — *The Siberian wallflower is a monarch’s favorite springtime flower. Image: Canva/tommeaker*

The showy and fragrant orange nectar plant is easy to grow, and its attractive color will keep monarch butterflies in your garden all spring.

2. Sweet Asylum (Lobularia maritima)

*Sweet assylum. Image: Canva/alaindemaximy*

The elegant and fragrant garden annual is one of the monarch’s favorite springtime plants. For maximum visibility, plant the weed in front of other taller plants.

3. Milkweed

Milkweed is not only a nectar plant but also the sole host plant of the monarch butterfly, making it crucial to its survival.

*A Monarch butterfly on a whorled milkweed. Image: X/ skyebruce*

The Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) continues to bloom throughout summer playing host to the female butterfly looking to lay eggs.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) blooms in late spring providing shelter for the monarchs to rear their young.

The butterfly milkweed blooms in late spring offering nectar and shelter for the monarchs — *The butterfly milkweed blooms in late spring, offering nectar and shelter for the monarchs. Image: Anniesheirloomseeds*

Planting the milkweed in a place with full sunlight but away from the wind will provide a hospitable environment for the monarchs.

Friendly Plants for Monarch Butterflies in the Summer

During summer, the butterflies continue reproducing as they head towards Canada.

To provide nectar for the monarchs in the summer months, plant:

1. Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Did you know monarchs prefer bright-colored flowers? Plant these showy blooms in a sunny spot, and the butterflies will love them.

2. Lavender Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

The bright purple hyssop blooms are good nectar sources for monarchs and will keep them around in summer and fall.

Getting the Monarch Population Ready for Migration in the Fall

In the fall, the monarchs bustle to store fat in their abdomens for migration and overwintering in Mexico and Southern California.

You can lend a hand by providing nectar-rich plants such as:

1. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Plant plenty of asters to provide the monarchs last-minute nectar before they head out for migration — *Plant plenty of asters to provide the monarchs with last-minute nectar before they head out for migration. Image: Canva/wirestock*

These low-growing asters are a vital last-minute nectar source for the monarchs.

Planting them in part shade or a sloppy area of your landscape ensures the best growth and can accommodate more monarch butterflies.

2. Wild Bergamot (Mornada fistulosa)

*The wild bergamot is a critical nectar resource for migrating monarchs. Image: Bugwood.org/elmer verhasselt*

The fragrant lilac-flowered weed is another fuel resource for monarchs.

Create the butterfly magnet by sowing the seeds in the fall in a place with plenty of natural light.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.