The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has named milkweed as the 2025 Plant of the Year as part of its Rare Plant Monitoring Program—and is encouraging residents to plant milkweed to help monarch butterflies.
Milkweed is essential for monarch survival—it’s the only plant where monarchs lay eggs and the only food monarch caterpillars eat. Adult monarchs and other pollinators also rely on milkweed and other native blooms for nectar.
Jay Watson, DNR insect ecologist, notes that monarchs are facing threats like habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, but planting milkweed provides vital habitat.
Wisconsin has 13 native milkweed species, five of which are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Showy milkweed is the only nonnative species found in the state.
The Rare Plant Monitoring Program trains volunteers to help track rare plants, and this year, the focus will be on milkweed. Volunteers can request milkweed surveys and contribute to state conservation efforts.
Monarch numbers remain low despite a slight increase—1.79 hectares this season compared to 0.99 hectares the previous one—continuing a long-term population decline.
To find native milkweed near you or learn how to get involved, visit the DNR’s Native Plants webpage or check out the 2024 Rare Plant Monitoring Program report.
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