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14 Minnesota Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies

Minnesota Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden

There are fourteen species of Minnesota milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an important host species for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly in particular uses the cardenolides found in the milky sap of milkweeds to give an unpleasant taste to predators. These plants are also an important nectar source to all insects visiting your pollinator garden.

1. Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis), a Minnesota Milkweed for Dry Soils

Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis): Clasping milkweed is native to four counties in the southeast and one in southern Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, clasping milkweeds grows in dry woodlands, prairies, meadows, and roadsides that have sandy or gravelly soil. Growing up to 3 feet tall this plant has greenish-pink, red, brown, to purple flowers that bloom from March to September.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, clasping milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9. It can be grown in full sun to part-shade conditions in dry sandy soil. Seeds of clasping milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Plant of clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) with pink flowers in a wooded area.
Clasping Milkweed in a wooded area — Mason Brock (Masebrock), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Pinkish flowers of clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) in a field.
Pink Flowers of Clasping Milkweed — cassi saari, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reddish-pink flowers of clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) in a field.
Pinkish Flowers of Clasping Milkweed — “Asclepias amplexicaulis – Clasping Milkweed” by FritzFlohrReynolds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

2. Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata), a Milkweed for Shade and Moist Soil

Poke Milkweed (Ascelpias exaltata): Poke milkweed species is found throughout Minnesota, except for the southwest and northwest (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, this milkweed is found in moist woods, roadsides, and the edges of woods. Growing 2 to 6 feet tall, it is one of the taller milkweeds, and has flowers that are white to green with accents of rose, purple, or blue. The flowers bloom from April to August. It is hardy in zones 3-9.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, poke milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9, requires part-shade to shade, and moist soil. Seeds of poke milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Greenish-white flowers of poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) in a wooded area.
Flowers of Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) — Dendroica cerulea, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of poke milkweed with white flowers in a wooded habitat.
Plant of Poke Milkweed in a Wooded Area — “Asclepias exaltata” by kevinliam is marked with CC0 1.0.
White flowers of poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) in a wooded area.
Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) with White Flowers — homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a Milkweed for Moist Soils

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Swamp milkweed has two subspecies, ssp. incarnata and ssp. pulchra. The former is found throughout Minnesota (hardy in zones 3-9), while the latter is not found in Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). Like the name suggests, in the wild, this plant is found in wet places such as the shores of streams, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. This is one of the taller milkweeds growing from 3 to 5 feet tall. The flowers which bloom from July to September are generally a pink to red color, but there is also a white cultivar (pictured below).

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, swamp milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9, requires full sun to part-shade and prefers moist to medium moisture soil, but can exist in drier soil as a landscape plant. Seeds of swamp milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Pink flowers of swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) from Pennsylvania.
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) with Pink Flowers — Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) 'Ice Ballet' cultivar.
‘Ice Ballet’ Cultivar of Swamp Milkweed — Photo by and (c)2009 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons
Follicles (fruits) of swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) in a garden.
Follicles — “Swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, asclepias incarnata, new England native garden” by sapienssolutions is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

4. Side-Cluster Milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa), a Milkweed for Full Sun and Medium moisture

Side-cluster Milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa): Side-cluster milkweed is native in scattered locations except for the north and northeastern Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). Minnesota is the only state in the native range of this plant where it is not rare. In the wild, side-cluster milkweed grows in prairies and sandhills having full sun. The flowers range in color from green to cream and bloom from May to July.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, while side-cluster milkweed is hardy in zones 4-7, it is rare in most of its range and is not in the horticultural trade.

Plant of side-cluster milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa).
Vegetative Plant of Side-Cluster Milkweed — Asclepias lanuginosa Nutt. observed in Canada by Chris Friesen (licensed under CC BY 4.0)
Close-up of yellowish-green flowers of side-cluster milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa).
Yellowish Flowers of Side-Cluster Milkweed — Asclepias lanuginosa Nutt. observed in Canada by Chris Friesen (licensed under CC BY 4.0)
Plants of side-cluster milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa) with white flowers.
Side-Cluster Milkweed with Yellow Flowers — Asclepias lanuginosa Nutt. observed in Canada by Chris Friesen (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

5. Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia), a Milkweed for Moist Soils

Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia): Long-leaf milkweed has two varieties, var. hirtella and var. longifolia. Of these var. hirtella occurs in one county in southern Minnesota and is considered to be rare (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, long-leaf milkweed grows in moist areas and wetlands such as bogs, swamps, flatwoods, and prairies having full sun. Growing from 1 to 2.5 feet tall, the greenish-white flowers bloom from April to July.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, long-leaf milkweed requires full sun and moist to wet soils. It is hardy in zones 4-9.

Purple flowers of long-leaf milkweed (Asclepias longifolia).
Long-leaf Milkweed with Purple Flowers — Asclepias longifolia Michx. observed in United States of America by Justin (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Yellowish-pink flowers of long-leaf milkweed (Asclepias longifolia).
Yellowish Flowers of Long-leaf Milkweed — Public Domain Image
Pink flower cluster of long-leaf milkweed (Asclepias longifolia) in an open area.
Plants of Long-leaf Milkweed in an Open Area — Asclepias longifolia Michx. observed in United States of America by cnagele (licensed under CC0 1.0)

6. Oval-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia), a Milkweed for Well-drained High pH Soil

Oval-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia): Oval-leaf milkweed is native throughout Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, oval-leaf milkweed grows in open areas having full sun or partial shade such as prairies, grasslands, savannas, railroad edges, and alluvial terraces. It is one of the shorter milkweeds in Minnesota, growing to about 2 feet tall. It has white, pink, or green flowers bloom from May to August.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, oval-leaf milkweed is hardy in zones 5-9, requires full sun to part-shade and well-drained high pH soil. Seeds of oval-leaf milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Plant of oval-leaf milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia) with white flowers.
Oval-leaf Milkweed with White Flowers — Asclepias ovalifolia Decne. observed in United States of America by msieges (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Pinkish-white flowers of oval-leaf milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia).
Flowers of Oval-leaf Milkweed — Justin Meissen from St Paul, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of oval-leaf milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia) in a field.
Oval-leaf Milkweed (Ascelpias ovalifolia) in a field — USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

7. Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), a Milkweed for Moist Soils

Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens): Purple milkweed is native in one county in southeastern Minnesota and is considered to be rare (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, purple milkweed grows in moist to dry places having full sun to part shade such as swamps, woodlands, meadows, roadsides, and dry fields. A tall milkweed, it grows up to 6 feet tall and has purple to pink flowers bloom from May to July.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, purple milkweed is hardy in zones 3-8 and requires part-shade, but can handle full sun. Soils should be moist and well-drained, but dry soil can be tolerated. Seeds of purple milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Close-up of pinkish-purple flowers of purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens).
Pinkish-purple Flowers of Purple Milkweed — Steepcone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Plants of purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens).
Group of Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) in a garden — peganum from Henfield, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) with purple flowers.
Purple Milkweed with Purple Flowers — Asclepias purpurascens L. observed in United States of America by Jim Bowhay (licensed under CC0 1.0)

8. Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), a Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soils

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): Showy milkweed is native throughout Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). Showy milkweed grows in open areas such as roadsides, fields, and woodlands that are mesic to dry. It has flowers that are purple to pink in color and bloom from April to June.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, showy milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires places of full sun and medium to dry well-drained soil. Seeds of showy milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Pinkish flowers of showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa).
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) with Pink Flowers — Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pinkish-white flowers of showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa).
Close-up of Pink Flowers of Showy Milkweed — Asclepias speciosa Torr. observed in Canada by markeambard (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Follicle of showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa).
Showy Milkweed Follicle — John Rusk from Berkeley, CA, United States of America, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

9. Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla), a Milkweed for Dry Soils

Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla): Slim-leaf milkweed is native to one county in southeastern Minnesota and is considered rare (Kartesz 2015). Slim-leaf milkweed grows in open areas with full sun such as prairies and sandy areas. It has flowers that are greenish-white that bloom from June to August.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, slim-leaf milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires full sun and dry soils. Seeds of slim-leaf milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Plant of slim-leaf milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla).
Yellowish Flowers of Slim-leaf Milkweed — Asclepias stenophylla A.Gray observed in United States of America by Craig Martin (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Close-up of Yellowish flowers of slim-leaf milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla).
Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla) with yellow flowers — Samuel A. Schmid, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of slim-leaf milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla) in an open area.
Slim-leaf Milkweed in an open area — Asclepias stenophylla A.Gray observed in United States of America by Craig Martin (licensed under CC0 1.0)

10. Sullivant’s Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii), a Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soils

Sullivant’s Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii): Sullivant’s milkweed is native mainly to the southern part of the state and two counties in the center of Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). Sullivant’s milkweed is considered to be rare in Minnesota. This plant grows in open areas with full sun such as prairies, meadows, roadsides, and railroads and was originally associated with tall grass prairies (Minnesota DNR). In June and July the pink to purplish flowers come out for visitors to enjoy.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, Sullivant’s milkweed is hardy in zones 3-7, and requires full sun and medium to dry soils. Seeds of Sullivant’s milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Plant of sullivant's milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) with pink flowers.
Sullivant’s Milkweed in a field — Asclepias sullivantii Engelm. ex A.Gray observed in United States of America by Nancy Navarre (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Plant of sullivant's milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) in a field.
Pink Flowers of Sullivant’s Milkweed — Asclepias sullivantii Engelm. ex A.Gray observed in United States of America by samk (licensed under CC0 1.0)
Herbarium specimen of sullivant's milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii).
Herbarium Specimen — Asclepias sullivantii Engelm. ex A.Gray Collected in United States of America by The New York Botanical Garden (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

11. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a Milkweed for all Conditions

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): Common milkweed is native throughout the state (Kartesz 2015) and is found in open areas such as fields, pastures, and roadsides, where it can receive full sun. The flowers range from pink, greenish-purple, greenish-white, to white and bloom from June to August.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, common milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires full sun to part shade and can handle most soils. Seeds of common milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Flowers of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a North Carolina milkweed.
Pink Flowers of Common Milkweed in McMullen House Garden — Robert Coxe, Image
Plant of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) with pink flowers.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) with pink flowers — Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) with eastern tiger swallowtail.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Common Milkweed — Author Image

12. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a Milkweed for all Conditions

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Butterfly weed is one of the most common for butterfly gardeners on the east coast of the United States. In Minnesota, it essentially occurs throughout the state, except it is scattered in the northwest. The flowers are characteristically orange and bloom throughout the summer and sometimes into the autumn. It grows in open areas with full sun such as fields, roadsides, and open woods and is hardy from zones 3-9.

In your Minnesota buttrfly garden, common milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and places of full sun to part shade. It can handle most types of soil. Seeds of butterfly weed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Orange flowers of butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
Butterfly Weed with Orange Flowers — Robert Coxe, Image
Monarch butterfly on butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
Butterfly Weed with Monarch Butterfly — Laura Perlick, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Follicles of butterfly weed showing seeds.
Butterfly Weed Follicle — User:SB_Johnny, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

13. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), a Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soils

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata): Whorled milkweed is native everywhere except for north and northeastern Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). Whorled milkweed has green to white flowers that bloom from May to September. Like a lot of other milkweeds it grows in open areas such as meadows and fields, where it can take advantage of full sun.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, whorled milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires full sun and medium to dry soils. Seeds of whorled milkweed can be purchased at the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Close-up of white flowers of whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata).
White Flowers of Whorled Milkweed — Joshua Mayer (wackybadger), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leaves of whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata).
Leaves and Stem of Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) — Frank Mayfield (gmayfield10), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
White flowers of whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) in an open area.
Whorled Milkwed with White Flowers — Mason Brock (Masebrock), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

14. Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora), a Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soils

Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora): Green comet milkweed is native throughout the state except for northern and northeastern Minnesota (Kartesz 2015). The flowers, which bloom from June to August, begin as a green color but age to become yellow with a purple tinge. The habitat includes open areas such as meadows and field where there is full sun.

In your Minnesota butterfly garden, green comet milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires full sun and medium to dry soils. Seeds of green comet milkweed can be purchased at the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.

Green flower cluster of green comet milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora).
Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora) with yellowish-green flowers — Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of green comet milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora).
Green Comet Milkweed in a Field — Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leaves of green comet milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora).
Green Comet Milkweed Leaves — Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When selecting your Minnesota milkweed, be sure to make sure that it grows in your zone and habitat.

References for Minnesota Milkweeds

  • Kartesz, J.T. The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. Taxonomic Data Center. Link to website. Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)]

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