Backyard Habitat for Monarch Butterflies

Learn more about monarch butterflies

Habitat Requirements

Size

Suitable Monarch habitat can be easily integrated with an existing flower garden. There is no minimum area requirement for your habitat; however, a truly effective Monarch habitat will be at least 100 square feet. The total area may be split among several sites at your location and there is no upper limit for the size of a Monarch habitat.

Exposure

Monarch plants need lots of sun; therefore, Monarch habitats need to be located in an area that receives at least six hours of sun a day. See the attached reference for shade tolerance of recommended plants.

Drainage and Soil Type

Milkweeds and nectar plants will do best in relatively light (low-clay) soils. Good drainage is needed to avoid root rot and provide good aeration of the roots. Areas with poor drainage may need more tolerant species such a swamp milkweed and New England aster.

Shelter

To assure that the maximum number of monarchs survive in your habitat, the plants should be relatively close together. However, they should not be crowded – be sure to follow the planting recommendations specific to each plant. All monarch life stages need shelter from predators and the elements. Planting milkweeds and nectar plants close together contributes to this shelter for monarchs and other wildlife.

Food

Milkweed Plants

To maximize the utilization of your habitat by monarchs, it is desirable to include a number of milkweed species. It is best to have at least 10 plants, made up of two or more species; however, a large number of plants (more than 10) of one species is sufficient. Milkweeds of different species mature and flower at different times during the season. By increasing the number of milkweed species in your habitat you will increase the likelihood that monarchs will utilize your property for a longer period during the breeding season.

Nectar Plants

Monarchs, other butterflies, and numerous pollinators need nectar. By providing nectar sources that bloom sequentially your Monarch habitat can provide resources for monarchs throughout the breeding season and the migration in the fall. A Monarch habitat should contain at least 4 biennial or perennial native plants that provide nectar for butterflies.

Native Plant Species Recommended for Missouri

See the table below of recommended native wildflowers for monarchs usually available as plants or seeds. Plants are recommended in flower gardens to obtain the fastest results.

Local sources for seeds and plants of these native species can be found at Grow Native.

Information on suitable non-native species can be found at Monarch Watch. 

Planting Diagram Examples

Dry Soil Conditions (Well-drained Soils)

Requirements

Dry condition planting example

• Minimum 100 square feet
• Minimum 10 milkweeds of two or more species
• Minimum 4 biennial or perennial native species for nectar

Dry Condition Planting Diagram

• 100 square feet
• 5 each of two different milkweeds
• 19 plants of four different biennial/perennial native species
• Total: 29 plants all spaced 18" apart

Legend

• (5 - PM) Purple Milkweed
• (5 - BW) Butterfly Milkweed
• (5 - WPC) White Prairie Clover
• (5 - RBS) Rough Blazing Star
• (4 - WB) Wild Bergamot
• (5 - BES) Black-eyed Susan

Wet Soil Condition (Poorly Drained Soils, i.e. Raingarden)

Requirements

Wet condition planting example

• Minimum 100 square feet
• Plant more than 10 plants if using only one species of milkweed
• Minimum 4 biennial or perennial native species for nectar

Wet Conditions Planting Diagram

• 250 square feet
• 15 of one milkweed species
• 49 plants of different biennial/perennial native species
• Total: 64 plants, 24 spaced 24" apart across 150 square feet, 40 spaced 16" apart across 100 square feet

Plant Legend

• (15 - MM) Marsh Milkweed
• (3 - NEA) New England Aster 
• (6 - CP) Cup Plant
• (21- BL) Blue Lobelia
• (19 - CR) Culver's Root

Note: Plants are arranged tallest to shortest, with shortest in front. These diagrams are just one of hundreds of plant combinations that can be used from the above table.

Management

You should have a plan to sustain a Monarch backyard habitat area. Specific actions you take will depend on the features of your habitat; however, some general examples include mulching, thinning, fertilizing, amending the soil, removing dead stalks, watering, eliminating insecticide use, removing invasive plant species, and incorporating additional features.

Information provide in part by Monarch Watch. Contact Monarch Watch to find out how to be certified as a Monarch Waystation.