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Fall Planting for Monarch Butterflies

Sep 1
2 min read

Monarch butterflies bring a magical quality to our desert gardens as they float above our heads, around the garden and if we’ve planted a Monarch friendly habitat we may even entice them to frequent our garden on a regular basis. If you would like to create a Monarch friendly garden fall is a great time to add some of their favorite nectar plants to your landscape.


Milkweed



It is widely known that Milkweed is a Monarch’s favorite. However, not every Milkweed is suitable for our growing zone or for the butterflies. Our local native evergreen Rush Milkweed (Asclepius subulate) grows well in our gardens and Monarchs will breed all winter and lay eggs on this native variety. This variety of Milkweed has a cream colored blossom and develops a seed pod in the late spring and summer. These seed pods open and spread on our desert winds to self seed at near by drip emitters. The seeds are also easy to germinate in pots and transplant or share with a friend.


Nectar Plants


A variety of native shrubs, perennials and plants are also inviting to Monarch butterflies. Combining several of these low water plants in your landscape will help you create a beautiful garden and habitat for butterflies. An extensive list is available at the link below.



Where to purchase Rush Milkweed and Nectar Plants


Our first field trip November 16, 2026, is a visit to DesertStrawHouse Native Plant Nursery. The owner, Lisha Astorga, has created a desert native plant nursery and habitat that has no rival in the Coachella Valley. Lisha will give our group a tour of her native gardens, provide insights into how to incorporate desert natives in your landscape and cultivate a Monarch friendly habitat. After our tour the Desert Native Plant nursery will be open for purchases. You will find desert native plants here that are not available in most nurseries.


More information and registration for our visit to DesertStrawHouse can be found on our Events page.


If you would like more information about Monarch butterflies, how to create a butterfly friendly habitat and learn the migration habits of Monarchs DesertStrawHouse has an extensive article here: Monarch Habitats in the Desert



 
 
 

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