Do Monarch caterpillars eat Asclepias Tuberosa?

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by sjs, Jul 12, 2021.

  1. sjs

    sjs Active Member

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    I cannot find a definitive answer online about this, so I thought I might try here, in case anyone familiar with this type of milkweed knew.

    I found that Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) doesn't have the milky sap that the other milkweed have like common milkweed. So I was wondering if this is even a suitable host for the monarch caterpillar because of that?

    EDIT: Reason I ask is because I currently have common milkweed planted in my garden but it is too invasive and spreads quickly via rhizomes. Although monarchs lay eggs on it and I have two caterpillars currently feasting on it. I wanted to replace it next year with a milkweed that is less invasive (if there is such a thing)
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2021
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  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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  3. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Consider finding a way to grow the common milkweed in a confined space (e.g., half-barrel container). You'll also want to remove the developing fruit every year, but that is only a few minutes of maintenance once in a while. This gives you the larval host plant in a controlled way.
     
  4. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    If I had known a few years ago just how invasive Asclepias tuberosa ‘Gay Butterflies’ would be, I would have planted it somewhere different from where I did. Probably in a container as @Daniel Mosquin suggests. Invasiveness aside, it is a gorgeous plant so, if it does attract monarch butterflies, all the better. Beggars can't be choosers.
     
  5. sjs

    sjs Active Member

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    Are any of these milkweeds hardy enough to survive the Canadian winter in a container if left outside? (i.e. not bring it into shed or garage)
     
  6. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Hmm. Good question. The general rule I had heard for around here on the west coast is 2 zones difference for containers -- so in the parts of Vancouver that are zone 8, you can predict that zone 6 plants should survive (and yes, it's a general rule). If the same were true for southern Ontario, common milkweed would easily fall within that rule (since it grows in Manitoba, too).
     
  7. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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