The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Common milkweed is an important host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Plants are drought tolerant after they become well established. In late fall, direct sow butterfly milkweed seeds just below the surface. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing. Common milkweed can spread using underground rhizomes and will colonize disturbed areas. It may be better suited to an out of the way area instead of in a flower garden.