The monarch is one of the most recognizable butterflies in North America, and the central United States is its highway. Monarchs that spend the summer east of the Rocky Mountains fly south each fall to overwintering sites in the mountains of central Mexico, and the next generations travel north again in spring. Many of them cross the Plains and Midwest, which makes backyard habitat there especially valuable.
What monarchs need
Monarchs need two things from your yard:
- Milkweed for caterpillars. Females lay eggs only on milkweed plants (genus Asclepias), and the caterpillars eat nothing else. Milkweed contains compounds that make monarchs distasteful to predators.
- Nectar for adults. Adult butterflies feed on flowers. During the fall migration they need rich nectar sources to fuel the long flight south.
The monarch's conservation status has been under review by U.S. wildlife authorities, so check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the current listing status and any rules that may apply to your area.
The migration across the central United States
In spring, the first generation of monarchs lays eggs on milkweed in the southern United States, often beginning in March and April in Texas and nearby states. Their offspring continue north across the Plains and Midwest through the summer, with several generations along the way. Late in summer, a special long-lived generation is born. These monarchs delay reproducing, accumulate fat and fly to Mexico, passing through the central United States mostly from late August through October. The exact timing depends on latitude and weather.
Native milkweeds for Plains and Midwest yards
Choose species native to your region and suited to your soil. Common choices include:
| Milkweed | Habitat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common milkweed (A. syriaca) | Open ground, roadsides, prairie; central and eastern states | Spreads by underground stems; best in a larger space |
| Butterfly milkweed (A. tuberosa) | Dry, sunny, well-drained soil | Orange flowers, well-behaved, slow to establish |
| Swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) | Moist soil, rain gardens | Pink flowers, tolerates average garden soil |
| Showy milkweed (A. speciosa) | Plains and western states | Large pink flowers |
| Whorled milkweed (A. verticillata) | Dry prairies, thin soil | Narrow leaves, spreads slowly |
| Green antelopehorn (A. viridis) | Southern Plains | A key early host in the south-central region |
Your state native plant society, extension office or a regional organization such as the Xerces Society can recommend which species are native to your county. Plant in full sun if possible and in clusters rather than single plants.
A note on tropical milkweed
Tropical milkweed (A. curassavica) is widely sold and easy to grow, but it is not native to the United States. In mild-winter areas it can stay green all year, which may encourage monarchs to keep breeding rather than migrating and can allow a protozoan parasite to build up. Conservation groups generally recommend planting native species instead. If you already have tropical milkweed in a region where it survives the winter, many experts advise cutting it back hard in fall.
Nectar flowers for fall migrants
Adults need flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. Good native choices for the central United States include:
- Blazing star (Liatris)
- Goldenrod
- Native asters
- Ironweed
- Joe-Pye weed
- Purple coneflower
- Sunflowers
- Native thistles, where appropriate
Aim for something in bloom from spring until frost. See also our butterfly host plant table.
Planting and care
- Choose a sunny spot with good drainage and some shelter from wind.
- Plant in groups so females can find them.
- Start from seed or plants. Many native milkweeds take time to establish, and some seeds need a cold period (cold stratification) over winter, so fall sowing is common. Follow the seed supplier's instructions.
- Water new plants but do not overwater.
- Check the source. Some nursery plants are treated with systemic insecticides that can harm caterpillars, so ask or buy from native-plant growers who do not use them.
- Be patient. Some milkweeds do not flower in the first year.
Expect holes in the leaves. That is the goal, not a problem.
Safety
Milkweed sap can irritate skin and eyes, and milkweed is toxic if eaten, so keep it away from pets and livestock that might graze on it. Wear gloves if you handle large amounts and wash your hands.
Do not rush to raise caterpillars indoors
It is tempting to bring caterpillars inside, but wildlife groups advise caution. Raising large numbers indoors can spread disease and may alter wild populations. If you do, keep containers clean, release adults near where you found them and do not buy monarchs for release. A better contribution is planting habitat and avoiding insecticides. If you would like to take part in research, programs such as Monarch Watch offer tagging and monitoring opportunities for volunteers.
Beyond the yard
Mowing, herbicide use and development have reduced milkweed in the central United States. Roadside, pasture and field-edge habitats matter. If you live on larger acreage, consider leaving areas unmowed in summer, delaying mowing until after the migration or working with your county's conservation district. Neighbors, school grounds and community gardens can be a good place to multiply the effect.
Frequently asked questions
What do monarch caterpillars eat?
Only milkweed.
When do monarchs migrate through the Plains?
In fall, roughly late August through October, depending on latitude and weather.
Should I plant tropical milkweed?
Conservation groups generally recommend native milkweeds instead.
Is milkweed safe for pets?
No. It is toxic if eaten, so keep it away from animals that might graze on it.
How long before milkweed attracts monarchs?
It can take a season or two for plants to establish and for monarchs to find them.
