What is California's native milkweed and why should we plant it? Native milkweeds are perennials with clusters of small (usually white or pink) flowers that grow in every eco-region of California. The native milkweeds are an important nectar source to a range of pollinators including bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Native milkweeds go dormant during the winter and sprout anew during the spring.

Milkweed is especially well known for its importance to Monarch Butterflies, since they are the required host plant for monarch caterpillars. No milkweed means no monarchs. Land development and use of herbicides have dramatically reduced the presence of native milkweed by taking away the flatlands and meadow areas where the plant grows well. The monarch butterfly population has dramatically declined and the best way that gardeners can support the monarchs is by planting their necessary host plant - the milkweed - as well as other needed nectar plants and by avoiding the use of pesticides. 

The Xerces Society lists 15 different native milkweeds to California but recommends that Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) and Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) as the best species to plant due to their ability to grow in the widest range of conditions and the opportunity to buy them commercially.  More...