Grow Native Milkweed for Monarchs
Why Native Milkweed Matters
Milkweed is essential to monarch butterflies because it serves as the host plant for monarch caterpillars. Without milkweed, monarchs cannot complete their life cycle. Planting native species appropriate for your region can create valuable habitat across the Southwest and support the network of resources Western Monarch populations need.
Native milkweeds also provide nectar and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. At the same time, their natural adaptation to Southwestern conditions makes them valuable components of water-wise landscapes. Instead of relying on thirsty ornamental plants, gardeners can use native milkweeds alongside other drought-tolerant natives to create colorful, wildlife-friendly gardens with lower long-term water needs.
The Desert Southwest is home to remarkable native milkweed species (Asclepias) that have evolved to thrive in intense sun, extreme heat, drought, and seasonal rainfall. By growing these native milkweeds in your own garden, you can help provide essential habitat and food for monarch caterpillars while creating a beautiful, low-water landscape suited to the Southwest. Native milkweeds are an excellent choice for water-wise gardens because they are adapted to local conditions and, once established, many species require little supplemental irrigation.
Beautiful Plants That Don't Need Much Water
The Southwest's limited water resources make thoughtful plant selection more important than ever. Native milkweeds offer an opportunity to combine wildlife habitat, desert beauty, and water conservation in one planting. Once established in the right location, many species can thrive with rainfall and limited supplemental irrigation.
For the best results, choose milkweed species that naturally occur in your area and match the plant to your elevation, soil, sunlight, and moisture conditions. Proper plant selection helps reduce watering needs while giving monarchs and other pollinators valuable habitat.
Choose Native Milkweed Over Tropical Milkweed
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is commonly sold because it grows quickly and produces attractive flowers, but it is not native to the Southwest. In warm climates where it remains green through winter, it can provide conditions that allow the monarch parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) to persist on plants. Native milkweeds are better adapted to the region's seasonal cycles and generally become dormant or die back, helping interrupt continuous parasite transmission.
For gardeners who want to make a difference, the goal isn't simply to plant any milkweed—it's to plant the right native milkweed for your location. Choose locally appropriate species, give them the conditions they prefer, and enjoy a landscape that is both monarch-friendly and water-wise.
Toxicity Warning!
Milkweeds contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which are particularly concentrated in the milky sap, stems, and leaves. All milkweed species should be considered potentially poisonous if ingested. Keep milkweed plants away from livestock, pets, and children. Among Southwestern species, Asclepias latifolia and Asclepias subverticillata are considered especially toxic.
Native Milkweeds of the Southwest
Antelope Horns Milkweed (Asclepias asperula): One of the most widespread and resilient milkweeds of the Southwest, Antelope Horns Milkweed forms attractive clumps of foliage and produces rounded clusters of greenish-yellow flowers with maroon or purple accents. Its curved seed pods resemble antelope horns. A great choice for sunny, dry, water-wise gardens.
Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia): Arizona Milkweed has narrow leaves and a fine-textured appearance, typically growing several feet tall. It naturally occurs in canyon bottoms, riparian areas, and other somewhat moister habitats.
Broadleaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia): A rugged, drought-adapted species with broad, thick, pale-green leaves and clusters of yellowish-green flowers. Broadleaf Milkweed performs well in dry grasslands, rangelands, and open Southwestern landscapes.
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): Known for its brilliant orange flowers, Butterfly Milkweed is an attractive addition to pollinator gardens. In the Southwest, it is generally better suited to higher elevations and areas with more moderate temperatures than the hottest low deserts.
California Milkweed (Asclepias californica): A native of dry regions of California, California Milkweed is well suited to native gardens within its natural range. It is a valuable choice for gardeners creating regional pollinator habitat.
Desert Milkweed / Rush Milkweed (Asclepias subulata): A spectacular desert specialist with tall, slender, nearly leafless green stems. Exceptionally adapted to intense desert heat, full sun, and limited water, it is an outstanding choice for low-water and xeriscape gardens.
Dwarf Milkweed (Asclepias involucrata): A smaller-growing native milkweed found in portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and surrounding areas. Its compact growth makes it useful for native plant gardens and smaller wildlife plantings.
Engelmann's Milkweed (Asclepias engelmanniana): A lesser-known Southwestern native associated with grasslands, open woodlands, and other relatively dry habitats.
Horsetail / Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata): Recognized by its narrow, needle-like leaves arranged in whorls around slender stems. It produces delicate clusters of pale flowers and is well adapted to dry grasslands and open landscapes.
Mojave Milkweed (Asclepias nyctaginifolia): A relatively small native milkweed associated with dry regions of the Southwest, including portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. It is a good candidate for desert-native and wildlife gardens.
Narrowleaf / Mexican Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis): A Western native with slender leaves and clusters of pinkish, white, or lavender-tinged flowers. It is native to much of California and portions of Nevada and Utah and is well suited to dry Western landscapes within its natural range.
Nodding Milkweed (Asclepias glaucescens): A native Southwestern species with attractive foliage and clusters of flowers that provide nectar for a variety of pollinators. It occurs in portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Pine-Needle Milkweed (Asclepias linaria): Pine-Needle Milkweed is a distinctive Arizona native with extremely narrow, needle-like leaves that give the plant a fine, airy appearance. It is well adapted to dry, sunny Southwestern conditions and makes an interesting addition to a desert pollinator garden.
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): A beautiful Western native with large, fragrant clusters of pink to rose-colored flowers. In the Southwest, it is generally best suited to higher, cooler elevations and areas with more available moisture rather than the hottest low-desert environments.
Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa): Native primarily to California, Woollypod Milkweed is adapted to dry Western and interior California conditions. Its distinctive seed pods have a characteristic woolly appearance. Toxicity: Moderate — as with other milkweeds, it should be treated as potentially poisonous if consumed and kept away from livestock, pets, and children.