To help the Western Monarch’s migratory journey, one plant needs to be available to support their entire life cycle: milkweed. Asclepias spp. (milkweeds) are host plants where Monarchs will lay their eggs, and it provides the only food their caterpillars will eat. Nectar sources, particularly winter-blooming varieties, play an important part to provide fuel for adult Monarchs along their migratory path. Monarch butterflies are known as an “indicator” species, and what happens to them could be signs of trouble for other important pollinators, including migratory birds.

Butterflies are reliant on native milkweed and nectar plants for their survival. These aren’t always plants that can be found at every nursery or garden supply. But they sustain monarchs and other important pollinators like bees, birds, bats, beetles, and ants.

Native Monarch and partners like Fujii Growers and other local nurseries work diligently to source, cultivate and research solutions to expanding access to seeds and starters for native milkweed and other important nectar plants.