What should I do if I haven't seen any monarchs in my milkweed patch?

Because monarchs are distributed across a very wide range, and there are so many fewer monarchs than there were previously, it can take a long time for monarchs to find a patch of milkweed. However, if you live in the monarch's breeding range, your milkweed is important! It is vital to get as much milkweed as possible out on the landscape, so that the monarchs that are out there are the most likely to find viable habitat in which to breed.

There are a few things you can do to make your habitat more enticing to monarchs, which may help them find your habitat.

1. Plant a variety of milkweed species. This gives females multiple options when choosing a host plant for their eggs. Find species of milkweed native to your region here, and find sources of milkweed plants at www.plantmilkweed.org.
2. Plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season. Adult monarchs need to eat the nectar from flowers. See the Xerces Society Monarch Nectar Guides for regional recommendations of monarch-preferred nectar flowers.
3. Provide shelter from the wind and sunny places for monarchs to bask. This handout provides other general recommendations on gardening for monarchs.