Milkweed's Monarch Habitat

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a milky-sapped perennial plant in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). This genus of plants is named after Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology. Milkweeds have a long history of being worked with for medicinal purposes because of the cardiac glycosides found in their tissue. Native to the Western half of North America, growing along streams, dry slopes, open woodland areas and roadsides, it was introduced to Europe by French and English explorers in the 1500s and 1600s.

In 1892, Charles Millspaugh recorded the early medical history of milkweed, also known as pleurisy root. He stated that it is a proven remedy for certain forms of dry coryza, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dry coughs, pleurisy, rheumatic pains, and some skin affections. The milky white sap is sometimes applied topically to remove warts. Caution: Some people have allergic reaction to the milky sap and should avoid contact with the eyes by washing hands thoroughly after touching.

Native people, early settlers, and modern foragers alike have eaten milkweed as a cooked vegetable. Nearly every part is edible, but each must be harvested at just the right time. Young, tender shoots in early spring; unopened flower buds in midsummer; firm, green seedpods in late summer — all can be eaten if they are boiled in multiple changes of water. Cook the unopened flower buds very well in sugar water until it thickens into a syrup, then strain out the cooked flowers and drizzle the milkweed flower syrup lightly over a dish of vanilla ice cream.

However, if the plants are eaten raw or are too old or picked at the wrong time, they

may cause nausea or vomiting as the cardiac glycosides found in Milkweed are poisonous to animals and humans. This is a plant which can be appreciated for its variety of chemical compounds, but not necessarily to be dabbled with by those who are not professionals, in working with its medicinal properties. Instead we can marvel at its other abilities to support the variety of pollinators which it attracts. Monarch butterflies in particular have used the poisonous compounds from Milkweed as their chemical defense against predators who know to avoid them so they do not suffer from the poisonous affects.

Probably the best-known fact about milkweed is that it’s a host plant for butterflies like the monarch. In reality, though the plants are food for several different species of butterflies (not to mention a source of nectar for moths, bees and hummingbirds). Butterflies don’t only need nectar, but they also need milkweed to lay their eggs on and the ONLY food the monarch caterpillars can eat are the leaves of milkweed plants. With shifting land management practices and pesticide use, we have lost much milkweed from the landscape. This has led to a 90% decline in the number of eastern monarchs in a just single decade.

Growing any of the milkweed species in your garden will attract a wonderful array of pollinators and you will be helping to sustain the habitat and species of the monarch butterfly.

Fun Facts About Milkweed

Ironically (given its reputation as a host plant for pollinators), milkweed can also be applied as a pesticide! Its seeds contain cardenolides, a compound that kills nematodes and armyworms. These are destructive pests for crops such as potatoes, soybeans, alfalfa, tomatoes, and corn. In field studies, turning milkweed seed meal into the soil resulted in 97 percent of the pests being killed, and with greater safety for humans and less negative environmental impact to wildlife, soil, and water than when conventional pesticides are employed.

The stems’ tough, stringy fibers were twisted into strong twine and rope, or woven into coarse fabric.

Inside milkweed’s rough seed pods is another wonderful surprise: The fluffy white floss, attached to milkweed’s flat brown seeds, could be used to stuff pillows, mattresses, and quilts, and was carried as tinder to start fires.

Interestingly, even though it repels water, milkweed floss actually absorbs oil. Because of this helpful trait, the seed floss is currently used to make floating kits that help clean up man-made oil spills.

Over the years, researchers have investigated growing milkweed for paper-making, textiles, and lubricants, and as a substitute for fossil fuels and rubber.

Growing Milkweed

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. Since some milkweeds can't handle freezing temperatures, there are two classifications they have been divided into:

Hardy Perennials - These milkweed species can survive below freezing temperatures in most zones of Canada. They go dormant in the winter months and return each spring.

Frost Sensitive Perennials - A few milkweeds fall into this category. You can still grow them in Canada. However, if you live in a zone that falls between 1 and 9, the plants will die in the winter and you will have to replant from seed in the spring.

Milkweed seeds will germinate better if they are cold stratified as the cold temperature softens the hard outer casing of the seed so it can sprout easier. You can either do this by planting the seeds in the fall, so they experience the cold of winter. Or by putting the seets in the fridge with the following steps:

- Soak coffee filters in water and shake off any excess water. Lay them out on the plates.

- Place 5-8 seeds in each wet filter, folding the filter over them to keep them securely inside.

- Put the filters in a ziplock sandwich bag, 1 filter per bag, and seal them shut.

- Label each sandwich bag with the date and place inside a food container with secure lid.

- Place the container in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 month. They can stay there for up to 3 months.

Once the milkweed seeds have been stratified for at least 30 days, they are ready to be planted indoors in preparation for being planted outdoors once the weather is amenable. Start the seeds 6-8 weeks before you intend to transplant them outdoors.

Fill 4” pots ¾ full with a good potting soil mix. Add water so it is soaked thoroughly and let it drain through. Place 2 seeds a couple of inches apart in each pot and cover with 1/4” of soil.

Place the pots in a sunny location, preferably in a south-facing window. They need lots of light and lots of warmth. A grow light is highly beneficial at this point to make sure they are getting enough. Water the plants daily by misting the soil. Be careful not to overwater them, though. Check the moistness of the soil with your finger. If it is wet, wait a day to water.

In 10-15 days, the seeds should germinate. Be patient, as sometimes it takes longer.

Prepare Ground For Planting

After the last frost has passed, prepare the ground in the Spring for planting. Sow the stratified seeds after the last frost has passed. If you are doing outdoor cold stratification, you will be preparing the ground in the Fall. For outdoor stratification, be sure to get the seeds in the ground before it snows and while the ground is still diggable.

Milkweed needs light, so choose a bright outdoor location. Common milkweed grows well in regular garden soil. Choose a clear spot or clear a spot by removing any rocks, mulch, or other plants that may impede the growth of the seedlings. Water the ground thoroughly, letting it soak well into the soil.

Planting Seeds Directly Into the Ground

Make holes 16-18” apart by pressing into the dirt with your finger up to your first knuckle. Place one seed in each hole. Cover the seeds with moist soil and place a thin layer of straw or leaf mulch over the area to help maintain moisture. If you are planting in the fall, make sure you label your patch well so you can find it in the spring!

Transplanting Seed Starts

It is best to transplant the seedlings when they are around 3 inches tall. If they are allowed to get any bigger, the long taproot will get too disturbed during the transplant, and they may not make it. Even when they are 3” tall, they are likely to go through a shock. Sometimes they lose all their leaves, so don’t panic if this happens!

Plant the seedlings 16-18” apart in holes large enough to hold the entire root ball. Do not let any roots show above the soil line. Water them for the first few days until it gets established.

Once milkweed plants are established, they don’t need much care. They will only need occasional watering, particularly during dry spells or droughts.