Both showy milkweed (A. speciosa) and swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) are native to Idaho, along with several other species that are more difficult to find in the trade. I would start with those two.

If you want to attract Florida’s State Butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, along with Hummingbirds and several other butterflies, plant a Firebush in a sunny Florida location. Mine has gotten as tall as 15 feet, but it can be kept low and bushy if desired. The Longwing seems to prefer it over anything else, and the numerous red-orange flowers, blooming all summer long into fall here in Tallahassee, easily attract Hummingbirds. Thank you Jessica for a marvelously informative article! Bookmarked!!

They’re challenging to grow from stem cuttings because the moment the stems are cut, the milky sap leaks out of them, quickly dehydrating the cuttings and reducing their viability. I’ve heard of some gardeners who run the cut end through a candle flame to cauterize it and keep the sap from leaking out. Then they dip the cut end in rooting hormone and then stick it into a pot of soil. Might be an interesting experiment. Most varieties are easy to grow from root cuttings.

can they be propagated by cuttings?

Even better, that you had so many inquiries about milkweed, which shows that you’ve helped generate awareness and concern over our precious monarchs, And you answer them brilliantly.

This is my second year of raising milkweed for caterpillars, and bringing in ones I found on tropical milkweed, so I’m not an expert, just have a little experience. I’ve also worked in jobs where I did lots of proofreading, and noticed a couple things about your article.

Typo in verbiage under the photo with a monarch eggs on MW leaf:
“Monarch eggs are tiny and difficult to spot. Check the leaves carefully for the leaves.“ (The last word in the “check the leaves…” sentence should be eggs vs leaves.)

– the post from Linda on 10/28: did she mean “cats” as in caterpillars, and she’s concerned about her domestic pets being harmed by eating the plant, or any part/stage of the larval Monarch? or cats as in she was specifying a particular “pet” she’s concerned about eating the milkweed?

While the article is about properly growing milkweed, would it also be relevant to say that care should be taken if cutting back the milk weed, or picking up broken stems, as this can happen after a heavy rain storm, as the sap will cause distress if accidentally ingested or accidentally rubbed in eyes?

Again, very well done and thank you!

Full sun is best for these plants. If it’s in too much shade, they will get leggy and topple over.

Butterfly milkweed and swamp milkweed are both native to Florida and would be good choices.