Does milkweed need to be in bloom to attract monarchs?

No, milkweed does not need to be in bloom to attract monarchs for egg laying. In the spring, female monarchs often lay eggs on very young milkweed plants. Throughout the summer, monarchs will use milkweeds even if they do not flower or when they are finished flowering. Visit this Journey North article for more information on how monarchs find milkweed. Milkweed flowers do attract many pollinators when in bloom because they are a great nectar source.