HOME & GARDEN
Monarch butterflies are making a comeback in Ohio
Jim McCormac
Special to The Columbus Dispatch
Aug. 15, 2026, 6:00 a.m. ET
- The monarch butterfly population has seen a significant increase over the past two winters.
- Milkweed plants are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars and are crucial for their survival.
- Planting various milkweed species, such as swamp, common and butterfly milkweed, helps support the monarch population.
On Sept. 21, 2025, my column covered a spectacular migratory roost of monarch butterflies at the Madison County farm of Lorene and Robert Miller. In that column, I noted that “Winter 2023-24 found butterflies in only 2.2 acres of oyamel forest.”
As most of the eastern monarch population winters in a small area of oyamel fir forest in Mexican mountains, winter censuses provide the best population estimates. Winter 2024-25 saw a doubling of the population, to 4.42 acres. Good news for America’s most famous butterfly, but a far cry from 1996, when the butterflies draped nearly 20 acres of the fir forest
Last winter (2025-26) saw another significant spike, with butterflies covering 7.24 acres. I’ve seen ample evidence of this increase in the field this summer. On a July trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, monarchs were probably the most frequent butterfly species that we saw. Here in Ohio, I’ve seen more monarchs than I have for years
Every outing produces many sightings, and I don’t have to go far to find them. They are daily visitors to my front yard garden, which is full of native plants. While the butterflies tap nectar from my various sunflower species, the major allure is several large swamp milkweed plants. I’ve found several monarch caterpillars on them recently
While I’m working with a small suburban lot, so are scores of other people. All these wee milkweed-spiced suburban/urban gardens contribute greatly to the monarch’s conservation. Milkweeds and the closely related honeyvine (Cynanchum laeve) are the butterfly’s only host plants – the only species that the caterpillars can feed on
The rather inconspicuous honeyvine occurs statewide and can even be a bit weedy for a native. It made its way to my yard unassisted, and I’ve seen monarchs lay eggs on the plants several times. But it is the much more conspicuous milkweeds (Asclepias) that do the heavy lifting of monarch production
Thirteen species occur in Ohio, and as far as I know, the butterfly will use them all. This is a showy group of plants, without exception, but some species are rare and local, and not available in the nursery trade. Fortunately, several milkweeds are readily available in the trade, including the elegant swamp milkweed. From my observations, this is the favored milkweed for monarchs and draws insects like moths to a flame
Not only that, but swamp milkweed is botanical art. Prime specimens can soar to 4 or 5 feet in height, and the magenta flowers are stunning. As a bonus, pollinators of all stripes are drawn to swamp milkweed’s aromatic blossoms. Better yet, for the gardener – and the butterfly – is using several milkweed species to create a diverse milkweed patch
In addition to swamp milkweed, two easily obtained milkweeds are common milkweed and the aptly named butterfly milkweed. The latter sports bright-orange flowers and may even top the swamp milkweed in the looks department. Common milkweed is by far the most common, widespread milkweed in the state, occurring in all 88 counties
Common milkweed is a looker and perhaps the easiest species to grow. Fair warning: This species spreadsrs may have to occasionally rein it in, but that’s a small price to pay for hosting such a valuable plant
Hardcore gardeners interested in unusual plants can seek out other milkweeds that are occasionally sold. Sullivant’s milkweed is a true prairie species with an interesting history of being one of about 100 plant species discovered and described to science from Ohio. It is named for legendary Ohio naturalist William Starling Sullivant. His father, Lucas Sullivant, founded Franklinton, the predecessor of Columbus. Sullivant Avenue on the west side is named for him
Purple milkweed would probably win a milkweed beauty contest. This robust species features large roundish heads of deep pinkish-purple blossoms. Shauna and I recently visited a 280-acre farm of a very conservation-minded couple in Licking County. They grow far more wildlife than crops. We were pleased to see lots of common milkweeds and numerous monarchs. I made the caterpillar image that accompanies this column there
As more landowners, large and small, grow more milkweed and conserve those that they already have, the monarchs increasingly win. Not only monarchs, but other milkweed specialists such as the milkweed tussock moth. Its caterpillars look as if they were assembled from colorful pipe cleaners that were woven together. Or gorgeous milkweed beetles, clad in shiny black and orange hues. And legions of native pollinators are addicted to the allure of milkweeds’ sweet nectar
Plant a milkweed patch and prepare to be dazzled by a constant parade of fascinating insects, headlined by the star of the show, the regal monarch
Naturalist Jim McCormac writes a column for The Dispatch on the first and third Sundays of the month. He also writes about nature at jimmccormac.blogspot.com
