Give it full sun and well-drained soil, and all you have to do is wait. Other annual favorites include cosmos, globe amaranth, narrowleaf zinnia, single marigolds such as Disco Yellow, pentas, and Mexican sunflower. In addition, they also enjoy perennials such as garden phlox, Brazilian sage, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and verbena. Butterflies need nectar for the adults, as well as a host for the larvae. Well, that's what it takes to bring about the next generation of butterflies.
Monarchs prefer it above all else for egg laying, larval food, and even nectar.
And the milky sap ingested by the larva makes the adult taste nasty to any that might otherwise enjoy a butterfly treat. This Southern wildflower is a frequent sight along roadsides in the late spring and early summer. You'll enjoy it so much more in your garden. Plant in average soil and full sun, and let the caterpillars have their lunch. The plants will tolerate it and soon bear horn-shaped seedpods characteristic of milkweeds.