Scientists say monarch butterflies number less than a tenth of their population two decades ago. Catherine Werner, sustainability director for the St. Louis mayor’s office, shares advice on supporting these fascinating insects.
Can a homeowner really impact the monarch butterfly? An area as small as 1 square meter, with the right mix of plants, can provide excellent habitat. For St. Louis, we recommend a combination of nine plants: butterfly weed, common milkweed, marsh milkweed, whorled milkweed, bee balm/bergamot, black-eyed Susan, goldenrod, New England aster, and purple coneflower. Several types of milkweed plants can serve as host to monarch caterpillars, and a variety of other native plants can serve as nectar sources for monarch butterflies.
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
In general, what makes for a winning monarch mix? A successful monarch garden will have both milkweed and nectar plants that bloom throughout the growing season. It is particularly important to have nectar available to monarchs during their spring and fall migrations; the nectar sources provide the energy the butterflies need for their long journey. We recommend using native species, which will do best in this climate.
Where can people learn more? The Milkweeds for Monarchs: St. Louis Butterfly Project webpage has tools and resources, including how to plant and care for monarch gardens. To learn more, people can also contact Brightside St. Louis or visit one of the demonstration areas at the Missouri Botanical Garden or Saint Louis Zoo.
