Monarch butterflies are lovely insects that you can easily attract to your garden with the help of certain types of plants. These plants provide nectar for monarchs as well as a place to lay their eggs.
If you’re looking to attract more monarch butterflies to your yard, try incorporating some of these great options into your gardening routine! Here are 9 plants that are known to attract monarchs.
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Butterfly Weed
The butterfly weed is a beautiful flowering plant native to North America. This plant is particularly beneficial for attracting monarch butterflies, as it provides them with much-needed nectar during their migration.
Butterfly weed has bright orange flowers and grows in a variety of sunny habitats, making it a popular choice for gardeners and butterfly enthusiasts alike. If you are looking to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, consider planting some butterfly weeds!
Common Milkweed
The common milkweed plant is a beautiful, flowering plant that is vital to the survival of monarch butterflies. It attracts these iconic insects with its fragrant flowers and sweet nectar, providing the monarchs with nourishment as they travel across vast distances during their annual migration.
In addition to being an important source of food for monarchs, the common milkweed also plays a critical role in the life cycle of these butterflies. The female monarchs lay their eggs on the leaves of the milkweed plant, and when the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the milkweed leaves.
This diet gives the caterpillars a poisonous defense against predators, making them unappetizing to would-be predators. Thanks to the common milkweed, monarch butterflies can thrive and continue their crucial role in our ecosystem.
Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed is a beautiful, fragrant wildflower that blooms in mid-to-late summer. This perennial plant is an excellent nectar source for adult monarch butterflies, and the leaves are a food source for monarch caterpillars.
Swamp milkweed grows best in full sun and moist to wet soils. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including clay. Swamp milkweed can spread rapidly by rhizomes and self-seeding, so it may need to be controlled in some garden situations.
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower is a beautiful plant that has long been known to be a great attraction for monarch butterflies. The large, vibrant flowers are highly attractive to the butterflies, who often stop and rest on them while they’re migrating.
Additionally, purple coneflower provides essential nectar and pollen to nourish the monarchs during their long journey. If you’re looking to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, planting purple coneflower is a great way to do it!
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is an iconic plant that attracts monarch butterflies and other pollinators to your garden. These beautiful flowers are easy to grow, with bright yellow petals set against dark brown centers.
To attract these delicate insects, plant black-eyed Susan in full sun or partial shade and give them plenty of water. With their vibrant colors and sweet nectar, these plants are the perfect addition to any garden or landscape. So, if you’re looking to attract monarch butterflies and other pollinators, be sure to plant black-eyed Susan in your yard today!
Zinnia
The Zinnia plant is a beautiful flower that can be used to attract Monarch butterflies. The bright colors of the flowers are very attractive to these creatures, and they are also a great source of food for them. Planting a few of these in your garden can help to increase the population of Monarch butterflies in your area.
Aster
Aster plant is an excellent choice for attracting monarch butterflies to your garden. This beautiful flower has clusters of vibrant yellow, orange, or purple flowers that are sure to delight both you and the butterfly species.
In addition to its attractive blooms, the Aster plant is also very easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for both beginner and expert gardeners. So if you’re looking for a way to attract these beautiful creatures to your yard, consider adding an Aster plant or two to your garden today!
Cosmos
The Cosmos plant is a beautiful flower that attracts Monarch butterflies. The flowers are large and brightly colored, and they have a sweet fragrance that the butterflies love. The plants are easy to grow and care for, and they make a great addition to any garden. If you want to attract Monarch butterflies to your garden, be sure to plant some Cosmos flowers.
Goldenrod
The goldenrod plant is a common wildflower found in many areas of North America. The plant is also a food source for monarch butterflies. The monarch butterfly lays its eggs on the leaves of the goldenrod plant, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. The monarch butterfly also drinks nectar from the flowers of the goldenrod plant, which is full of nutrients that help it survive.
If you are looking to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, consider planting a goldenrod plant. The plant is easy to care for and provides a valuable food source for the butterflies. In addition, the plant’s beautiful flowers and aromatic scent will add a touch of beauty to your garden.
In Summary
Whether your garden is large or small, there are plenty of plants you can choose that will help attract monarch butterflies. If you want to create a beautiful, welcoming space for these delicate creatures, be sure to include some of the plants listed above in your garden. You’ll love watching them flutter around and feast on the nectar-rich flowers, and they’ll be sure to return year after year!
