This gives them the cold stratification they need to come out of dormancy and sprout, when you finally plant them. You can store milkweed seeds in paper or plastic bags. Is milkweed safe to touch?
Milkweed species in the genus Asclepias contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans, but they pose the most danger to grazing animals. Humans can eat milkweed, but its toxicity depends on its species, age, how it is prepared and how much is eaten. Is milkweed good for anything? Milkweed is a great plant for the garden and provides habitat for many creatures. In addition to being a host plant to the monarch butterfly, milkweed offers many other benefits: Milkweed flowers produce nectar that all butterfly species benefit from.
Honey bee's take nectar from milkweed flowers. What is the white stuff in milkweed? The white, milky sap in milkweed is what makes it toxic. This sap is found throughout the plant. Not all species of milkweed are toxic, and those that are are poisonous at different levels.
Asclepias syriaca is a broad-leafed milkweed, while some other species are narrow-leafed. Is milkweed poisonous to skin? Milkweed Poisoning: Corneal Endothelial Toxicity.
Milkweed is a popular plant among gardeners as it attracts butterflies. Milkweed sap can be very irritating to the skin but is also very dangerous if it gets in your eyes. This poison can cause corneal endothelial toxicity. Is milkweed a painkiller? Milkweed Balm Topical Pain Relief - - a topical, all-natural, anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Made in USA. When do I release them outdoors?
Same with the Cinderella Milkweed I have. Thanks, Tom. Hi Tom, it sounds like you have enough milkweed to start raising, which is the first important step.
These are the supplies we use and recommend:. Top tools for Raising Monarch Butterflies. I have a few common milkweed plants that are well established. A decade ago we even raised some caterpillars and set the adults free — great fun with a 5-year-old.
I was recently made aware that I could harvest and donate some of the seeds for the Midwest region. Your website shows how to harvest, but how should I package the seeds and where do I send them?
Send Monarch Watch seeds. I got a couple of milkweed pods from my brother in NY. They had not split open yet so I manually opened them. The seeds are a milk chocolate brown. Are these seeds viable or were they harvested too soon?
I started my milkweed from a seed pod my grandpa gave me off his milkweed. My milkweed is doing great but after 2 years I have yet to see a seed pod on any of the 4 I have. Plenty of caterpillars, chrysalis..
Is this normal? I have tropical milkweed. Hi Rebecca, the caterpillars may be eating down the plants before they have time to seed…Up north, ours seed prolifically. Is there a reason to not plant the seeds with the fluff? Hi Pamela, the fluff makes a mess.. But yes, you can plant seeds with fluff attached if you wish. My first try at planting milkweed seed.
Will plant in Nov. If so, this will be an issue as to where I plan to plant. Thanks Nancy. Its May here in Florida. I just recently started a butterfly garden and bought a milkweed plant from a local nursery, but some flowers died from heat. They have points at the tips. Are they seed pods? Is it strange for them to be appearing at this time of year if they are? Hi Anissa, tropical milkweed is a continuous bloomer…and seeder! So, yes, those are seed pods. Asclepias curassavica- tropical milkweed.
I live down south and we still have cats on our milkweed. I found one big girl eating a milkweed seed pod! She was half way through it. Munching down. The plant was in a pot so I brought the whole thing inside.
I have never seen a cat eat a seed pod before. It is so much information I will have to read it over again. Is there any way to protect the plants. Hi Carolyn, if you have a huge infestation you can always flick some into a bucket of soap water, which we do with Japanese beetles when their numbers start to spike…good luck! Should I store them over winter in the refrig or cabinet at room temp.? Some of my abundant seeds would find their way there without help, but this should speed up the process a bit.
I live in palm springs california.. Hi David, you can check out my milkweed resources page to see what will grow perennially in your region:. Milkweed Resources Page. California Native Milkweed. Also, if they did flower they would need to be pollinated by butterflies, bees, etc. If you need seeds for planting, please check out my milkweed resources page for more options:.
Milkweed Resources. I am having a huge problem with the red and black milkweed bugs on the blossoms of my milkweed just waiting for the seed pods. Then they devour the seeds. Do you know where I could buy mesh bags to protect my seed pods while they are forming and growing?? I did not cut my milkweed back last fall so my original plants are very leggy-i will do that this year. I have just bought 3 of the narrow leaf milkweed and on one plant there are 2 seed pods.
I have this plant inside in my garden window protecting those seeds. Other wise I have just the tropical variety. What other varieties would you suggest for Southern Ca.? Bags to protect milkweed pods. We have enough milkweed so I let ours stay, but when you have a limited supply they can be a pain. The non-natives will likely be perennials in your region too. Hope this helps:. Milkweed Ideas for North American Gardens. How come some plants have pods and others have 3 or more pods?
How best to plant? Can the seeds just be scattered or does the soil need to be prepared in any way? Hi Nan, I prefer to plant more methodically, but broadcasting seeds works too. You could also try winter sowing and then plant all the seedlings next spring.
Lots of options. Here more info on fall planting:. Why does the white fluff have to be removed to plant the milkweeds seeds but in nature they are wind sown with the fluff??? Hello, Di…the fluff makes a big mess and blows all over the place. Is there any way that I can get the seeds to mature in the rest of the pods before planting? Thank you for your time.
In the future, let the pods start splitting at the seam before you harvest. Otherwise there are many affordable options for buying milkweed seeds online. Good luck! WE learned a lot when we visited the reptile land in PA.
Where are some resources for those of us in Oregon. Would like to know if there is any special tasks needed to ensure good plant growth. IE Fall planting of seeds or Indoor starts in the early spring. Monarchs in the Pacific Northwest. Hi Tony, Do you know how long milkweed seeds last? And are there any secrets or tricks to preserve them for years to come?
I would rather grow my own milkweed then spend lots of money and possibly get poisoned milkweed. I picked several pods last fall and put them in a plastic bag.
I did not know they needed to be chilled. Could I put them in the fridge and then start them in containers next spring or should I toss the pods and try it again next fall? Hi Tena, the seeds require a moist cold stratification to break dormancy. You can accomplish this with your refrigerator. Planting in fall will also give the seeds a natural moist cold stratification over winter:. Just harvested common milkweed seeds January 15 in Minnesota.
How should the seeds be stored until I plant them? Do people have better luck winter sowing outdoors in plastic containers or starting the seed indoors? Hi Diane, they need to be cold stratified until you are going to plant them. Winter sowing is one propagation technique. You can also start seeds indoors or sow directly in spring.
The plants are coming up in with all my shrubs. This past nov. I harvested and replanted lots of seeds and gave lots away. I never seem to have monarch caterpillars tho several others??? Am going to try and add another type of milkweed but not sure what kind?
Otherwise, the plants will be too small to support monarchs. Swamp milkweed is a popular native variety that is both host and nectar plant for monarchs and has a later bloom period than common:. Swamp Milkweed info. Last year I obtained seeds from Live Monarch Foundation. Folowed instructions on the seed packets and after a while I actually had about 50 milkweed plants, in addition to a failry large Buddleja Davidii, a Butterfly Bush. Living in southern California I figured I have Monarchs all over the place.
My house backs up to a canyon, so I would consider it an open space, and saw one Monarch. I did find a hand full of caterpillars. So I assume they eventually turned in to Butterflies. Tony I have a question. I still have my tropical milkweed outside and the pods do not appear to be ready to harvest the seeds.
Last night we had a frost. What are my best options for making sure the seeds will be good for planting in the spring? Oh, and I have one more question.
I was collecting milkweed pods in a field and I came across a pod that I did not recognize. The plant was about 4 feet tall and the pods were slender and smooth. One of them was a little purplish. Have any ideas what kind this is? Hi Karyn, it could be Asclepias incarnata- swamp milkweed? Again, it would help if I knew where you were located.
The Skinny on Swamp Milkweed. Hi Karyn, not sure where you are located. Hi Derek, the numbers are definitely up this season…looking forward to hearing the migration count results over winter. I have seen a couple straggler Monarchs this far north in Chicago still the last couple days! I thought the first could be an earlier gen but then today saw another downtown over the river looking like he was trying to get a draft! I have seen a few downtown this year and this is the first time I can remember that happening and I have worked here 11 years.
Hi Chris, thanks for the reminder about donating extra seeds. I added some info at the end of the post…. Fantastic, I am supplying several households with seeds this year and this will make it so much easier.
It will also keep my neighbors from being upset! I appreciate you and all you do! Interesting ideas. The fluff will be attached but the paper bag and coin method seperates them. If one cannot be there when the pods split then the rubber band idea works great.
Thank you so much for the tips. This year I am going to try to grow some indoors to transplant in the spring. Any advice as to when to start the little guys? Should I wait until January, or after refrigerating seeds, start them now—ion the fall? Hi Shae, usually weeks before your average last frost is a good time to start seeds indoors. I am happy to hear you will be harvesting milkweed seeds Linda. Good luck with your butterfly garden! In live in Tampa Florida and our weather is only barely hinting of possible fall — temps still in mid 80s.
I am ready to start planting my native pink swamp milkweed seeds, in trays, in a protective screened enclosure. Thoughts please.
This has been such a helpful source of information. Hi Linda, I would cold stratify the seeds in your refrigerator before planting. Here is more info:. What to do? Do cut the plant completely back? Hi Doris, I checked with the good people at Monarch Joint Venture to verify that OE is not spread by milkweed seeds and this was their reply:.
Your email address will not be published. Fall is here and the time has come to harvest future plants from your milkweed pods. These are some ways you can fight the fluff …and win! Thank you for your support. Share the Joy of Butterflies. Comments Hi! Can you leave a section of milkweed for the Monarch? Why is it necessary to separate the seeds from the fluff? Prairie planting is not my field of expertise, but there is a link to planting a field for pollinators in this post: Starting a Butterfly Garden.
That is good for the mob of monarchs. The tropical milk weed is very bad it Carries OE and will as the sliky gold. More info here: milkweed disease info. Thanks so much for your help!
If I can get a bunch do you want some Karen G. Hi, I just planted a few A. Thanks for your time. In your region, I would try refrigerator stratification so the seeds get adequate cold treatment: Cold Moist Stratification. Before you make a decision, I would figure out what species you have: 25 Milkweed Species for Butterfly Gardens. Check this group for swallowtail specific info: Simply Swallowtails. You can cut back milkweed stalks in fall or spring. Hi Dick, if they are close to maturity they might be ok for planting.
Otherwise, no…. Hi Vickie, it could be purple milkweed asclepias purpurascens but check out 25 species here: Milkweed for North American Butterfly Gardens. Is it really necessary? Hello Susan, the fluff makes a mess…much easier if you separate the seeds. I keep a close eye on first-year plants.
Believe it or not, Monarchs can find them! And boy, do their caterpillars eat. A first year plant may not be sufficient to feed a caterpillar. Be braced to transfer the lovely boys and girls to a larger plant, or rear them on harvested milkweed under the safety of your watch. Monarchs readily lay eggs on second year milkweed plants like this Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca. Here we go! The plant is now able to produce a considerable amount of foliage.
In the case of a thriving larger-leaved variety, maybe enough to feed a Monarch caterpillar! Adult Monarchs will readily find the plant. Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa produces large stunning flowers its third year. It is native to the American Central Prairies and West. Flowers at last! The third year a mature milkweed plant has developed, it produces large lush foliage, ample flowers, and will serve as a nectar source for adult butterflies and bees, and there is plenty of leaves for the caterpillars.
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. It is important to plant milkweeds that are native to your area.
This is for the welfare of the plant and the Monarch Butterflies, who may rely on the species of milkweeds they encounter to navigate on their journey.
Below are range maps of the several species of US native milkweed for which we carry Seed balls. There are many additional milkweeds that are also native. Some have restricted ranges, some are endangered or threatened. Most, unfortunately, are next to impossible to purchase seeds for.
We have worked hard to find high quality milkweed seed for every part of the continental US. They produced the maps, below. Buy Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa , Butterflyweed. Milkweed has optimal germination after one year of storage. Most milkweeds need to endure a cold season before they will grow.
How poisonous is the plant? I have 4 tall ones about 4. I like them, but I am worried about my small children and German shepherd. Is this plant highly poisonous and what kind of contact would be required to experience negative effects? Your maps have no key. Do I buy the recommended variety if I like in the dark green, light green, or yellow area? I assume the tan area is out of range. Dark green is present in the state, bright light green is present in the county, yellow means rare.
They are a perennial, they come back year after year and spread by roots. Plan on it outliving you! This is my second year growing from potted nursery plants. Do I cut back the canes or the surface or leave them to grow as they stand? We have a pre treated Asclepias speciosa, which is native to some parts of California.
We also have Asclepias eriocarpa, which does not need stratification. Thank you for this article…it really helped solve some of the mysteries in my milkweed garden! I purchased Asclepias curassavica and live in del Mar CA. From nursery and they have little green buds in the leaves. About 10 inches tall with 3 different stems. Will it grow? Should I separated the stems?
How old do you suspect it to be? Asclepias curassavica is not a US native milkweed. It attracts monarchs so densely that it can spread the infectious OE disease that is killing Monarchs in the south. We never recommend this plant for Monarchs. Please consider replacing the tropical milkweed with native California species that are now available like Asclepias fascicularis and Asclepias eriocarpa.
This is my second year in attempting to grow milkweed here in Northern California. My question is do I need to water them to extend the growing season?
Also last fall I was walking along tha Trinity River and found myself surrounded by Monarchs and low and behold I was also in an area covered with Milkweed. We spend our summers about three miles upriver and have never seen even one Monarch in the area. I hope that you can help with my watering question. I water in moderation or waiting in moderation.
To water in moderation is to keep moist but not wet. The soil should not appear shiny once the water is absorbed. We recommend letting nature determine the watering for native wildflowers. In areas with annual dry cycles, the plants native to that area are adapted with deeper roots, and periods of dormancy. Mine are that tall, too, in Michigan. Now I know and am moving all baby plants I find to an area where I would like them to grow.
I will leave the 3rd year ones they all have flowers until the babies are established. My daughter likes to raise the butterflies. I live in Austin, TX and it is already starting to heat up. Can I plant now? Should I put the seedballs in the refrigerator first? If so, how long should I keep them there? Will they have flowers this year? It was spectacular! I am hoping to introduce some different types of milkweed and could use your advice. Thank you! Hi Amy, We recommend planting these species only in the Fall to mid winter.
The seed balls tend to mold if put in the fridge. You can certainly try, but both species are for fall planting.
We are on our second year if a couple of milkweed plants. Suprisingly they came back. What I did not see were pods. Was I supposed to see them on a first year plant? I really want to grow more from seed and the two plants I have are coming back in force.
Hi Andrea, Milkweed comes back year after year in good conditions. It is a perennial, so it should come back. The plants are growing large and lush and multiplying beautifully, but will not bloom for some reason.
I live in Atlanta, Ga. I suspect that it may be receiving too much nitrogen, which encourages leaf growth, but often reduces blooms. If the plants were stressed, that could be a reason, but they seem to be doing well.
If you are fertilizing, cut back on that. Nitrogen eventually will be lost from the soil and they will bloom. I have been growing common milkweed indoors. They are about 3 inches already. Can I plant them in the summer in a shaded location? In New Jersey. It will prefer a sunny location. Break it in gradually to the outdoors. Introduce it to shade on mild days.
Shelter from wind, and be certain it is well watered. Gradually increase the exposure that it receives for two weeks, then plant it in a sunny location, keeping moist for a month while the roots connect with the native soil. I planted 4 plants in April and in June the monarch caterpillars ate then down. There are hardly any leaves left. Will they come back this year. I am in central Florida. Hi Jerry, Great news that you are feeding the Monarchs! Yes, the plants will come back next year.
Co-evolution is beneficial to both species in this case. I ordered on a site and it said I could go ahead and plant. I must have a 1, different varieties of southeast milkweed planted. I do have a few seeds sprouting up but it could be any number of different southeast seeds for pollinators. My question is will they be okay and sprout next spring? Thank you. Most milkweed needs to be planted in the Fall. Some might come up in the spring.
Some might perish. Hard to say. I have a huge milkweed plant growing among my lily of the valley. I would like to transplant it to another location. When should I do this. I live in Minnesota. Milkweed does not transplant well. If you must, do it in late fall, after it has gone to seed and died back. Dig up as much of the root system as possible, and plant in well, draining soil in a sunny location.
Common Milkweed rhizomes are long and horizontal. Monarchs lay eggs on the leaves of milkweed as they migrate North. Typically, they do this on second year and older plants, as they are taller and easier to find.
Also have more leaves for the caterpillars, who eat a lot! Do I need to be concerned about deer eating milkweed? I have seeds to plant but deer frequent the area I planned to plant. Very bitter and somewhat poisonous if eaten in quantity. I have second year plants in the Chicago area that are very tall and have pods. Is it too late for them to feed and lay eggs?
It is getting late in the season for reproduction, but not too late! The female monarch looks for the leaves, not the flowers, so you may still get some! Not very many monarchs here in central PA this year either. It was a rough winter in their roosting forest in Mexico.
Numbers are down even more. All but one are pretty big, two were eating the pods instead of the leaves. The pods are green and closed, I had no idea that they eat those too.
I live in the Cumberland foothills. We have been here 9 yrs. Now we have small blooms that die off in about a month. Do not see many Monarchs either. Several things can cause a perennial to die. Milkweed is notoriously hardy, but changes in climate can send it reeling.
So can salts from roads, and also changes in hydrology. You might try collecting some seed pods this fall from local plants that are thriving.
Plant some new ones among the older plants.
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