Camila's Butterfly Farms
Create a Butterfly-Friendly Garden with Easy-to-Follow Instructions
So you received milkweed seeds from us in the mail
Check out how to plant your milkweed!
Prepare the soil
Remove any weeds, loosen the soil with a rake, and add compost if possible.
How long does it take for milkweed to grow?
Milkweed can take a few years to flower, and even longer to spread
First year
In the first year, milkweed plants build deep roots to help them survive drought, floods, and extreme temperatures. They may also develop small leaves that monarch caterpillars like to eat. However, newly established plants may not flower or produce seeds in their first year.
Second year
In the second year, swamp milkweed plants (Asclepias incarnata) may develop vivid pink flowers.
Third or fourth year
Milkweed plants may start spreading underground via rhizomes, but this usually only happens if they are very happy. To control the spread, you can plant milkweed in a raised bed or container.
