Hacker News Reader

Comment by fsckboy | Hacker News Reader

does the milkweed in question, and other milkweeds the Monarch butterflies need, require particular soils, hydration, etc? I was a little disappointed they didn't mention it. It grew where I grew up , but that was all coastal and marshy.

View on HN

Milkweed is a very hardy and invasive species. My experience (and I have acres of it volunteering on my property) is it grows anywhere and everywhere in any kind of soil but it prefers full sunlight and doesn't like its feet too wet (ie. I don't find much of it in my forests or swamps). It especially likes disturbed ground where it's easier to send out its rhizomes and form genets.

There are quite a few milkweed species, such as Sullivant's milkweed, that aren't nearly as aggressive for what it's worth. Definitely an option to plant these other sorts.

Nit: milkweed is aggressive and hardy, but only invasive in some places (outside of NA).

For many, an aggressive, hardy, native plant that is both beautiful and good for insects is welcomed with open arms.

There are a number of milkweed species that vary in the conditions they like. Some like moist and rich soil, some wet and swampy areas, some like sandy and dry soil.

Look for a local extension service or guide on what species are native near you and what types might be good for your soil conditions.

yeah, but instead of everybody with a backyard here contacting an extension service, I wanted to carry around in my head the basic possiblities so if I'm every visiting a friend with a backyard I can say "hey, you can plant milkweed".

I don't have a backyard, apartment.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com