While Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed, adult Monarch butterflies feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, not just milkweed.
Adult Monarchs, are nectar-feeders and visit a wide variety of flowers to obtain the energy they need for flight and reproduction. They need a variety of nectar sources throughout the growing season, and they will visit many different kinds of flowers in their search for food. Besides garden flowers, Monarchs like the nectar of wildflowers which are abundant in the spring and summer.
The nectar of other plants will nourish the adult Monarch but the caterpillars only eat milkweed. A female Monarch won’t lay her eggs on any other plant. The plants that caterpillars munch on are called host plants. But if there is no milkweed, Monarchs won’t be able to produce the next generation.
By planting milkweed in your garden, you can help sustain Monarch populations!