How To Create A Monarch Waystation

Pollinators need our help - and your yard can make a difference! A Monarch Waystation is an intentionally-managed garden that provides food and habitat for the endagered Monarch butterfly population.

As a rule, a waystation must include at least 2 types of Asclepias plants. Asclepias, known by the common names Milkweed or Butterfly Weed, is the host plant that is essential for the survival of Monarch caterpillars. Its nectar-rich, fragrant flowers attract adult Monarch Butterflies and many other pollinators, too. When you plant a Monarch Waystation, in addition to seeing lots of Monarch butterflies, you’ll notice a huge increase in pollinators overall in your yard! 

Read on for a garden design plan, plant list, and tips for designing and registering your own Monarch Waystation.

• Planning Your Monarch Waystation
• Host Plants and Nectar Plants For Monarchs
• Sustainable Gardening Practices
• Get This Look: Monarch Waystation Garden Plan
• More Recommendations For Your Monarch Butterfly Garden
• Benefits Of Certifying Your Monarch Waystation

A Monarch Waystation has to meet several criteria:

1. Monarch waystations must be sited in full sun for Milkweed & Butterfly Weed plants to thrive.
2. The overall size of your planting must be 100 square feet minimum (for instance, 25 feet wide by 4 feet deep, or 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep).
3. A minimum of 10 Asclepias host plants must be included, and you must include at least two different varieties, to provide a good food source for Monarch butterflies and caterpillars.
4. A variety of nectar plants must be included with blooms from spring through fall, to provide a reliable food source for adult butterflies throughout the growing season.
5. You must follow sustainable gardening practices - no herbicides or pesticides that would harm caterpillars or butterflies!

A butterfly host plant is the place where butterflies lay their eggs for the next generation. Host plants are the sole food source required for the survival of developing caterpillars so that they can become strong, healthy butterflies.

Monarchs exclusively rely on Asclepias (Milkweed or Butterfly Weed) as their host plant. 

Asclepias facts:

• There are several different varieties of milkweed, including Common Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Swamp Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed.
• Planting multiple varieties of milkweed helps to prolong the time frame that Monarch butterflies can make use of your waystation.
• Monarch caterpillars need plenty of milkweed to