Does milkweed need full sun or shade to grow best?
Does milkweed need Butterfly gardeners know the importance of milkweed. This plant family is essential to the survival of monarch butterflies because it is the only host plant their caterpillars feed on. As scientists emphasize the importance of providing this valuable plant as much as possible, gardeners often ask: Does milkweed need full sun to thrive? Find out if you have the right growing conditions. Does Milkweed Need Full Sun? The answer depends on the type of dairy you are raising. For many, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the most readily available. This fast-growing plant has large leaves that can sustain large numbers of caterpillars and is native to much of the eastern United States and Canada. The many flowering heads draw adult butterflies of many species, including monarchs, making it a wonderful all-in-one garden plant. Common milkweed prefers full sun. It does best when it gets 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Not all gardens can offer thi