Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens
In 2024, EDI launched a program to create habitat for the western monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in urban gardens. This species has declined by more than 90% since the 1980s, and incorporating pollinator habitat in urban areas has been identified as a key strategy for their recovery. It also presents us with an excellent opportunity to engage new community members in conservation! EDI works with residents to install Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens in park-poor and under-served communities throughout San Diego County. To date, we have installed 45 gardens. Our staff continue to collaborate with program participants to provide support in caring for their Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens.
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Creation: Tips, Guides, & Updates
For anyone interested in creating and maintaining Monarch Butterfly habitat in their yard, we are here to assist and support you! Whether starting from scratch or enhancing your butterfly-friendly space, we can provide guidance and practical tips to help you achieve your goal.
Sample Plots for Monarch Butterfly Gardens
To assist in planning and cultivating your very own monarch garden, we have created some sample gardens with maintenance advice. Click to preview and download the PDFs.
Small Monarch Garden
10 ft x 10 ft
Medium Monarch Garden
7 ft x 7 ft
Large Monarch Garden
10 ft x 10 ft
Balcony/Patio Monarch Garden
Planting in pots
Balcony/Patio Monarch Garden
Planting in planters
Below are before and after photos of two monarch butterfly gardens we installed with participants of this program!
Before
Before
After
After
Here is a map of the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Gardens EDI has installed throughout San Diego County.
Tips of the Week
From January through June 2024, Lyla, our previous Conservation Technician, provided weekly Tips of the Week to help community members create and maintain their own monarch butterfly gardens. Click the tip you're interested in learning below and the link will direct you to the YouTube video!
Tip #1
Introduction to 'Tips of the Week' Series
Tip #4
Western Monarch Butterfly Migration
Tip #7
Managing Tropical Milkweed in Your Yard
Tip #10
Growing Milkweed from Seed
Tip #13
What is the Western Monarch Count?
Tip #16
Aphid Removal from Native Milkweed
Tip #19
Parasitism in Monarch Caterpillars
Tip #22
Fungal & Bacterial Diseases on Native Milkweed
Tip #2
Native Milkweed Dormancy
Tip #5
Suitable Yards for Native Milkweed
Tip #8
Planting Native Milkweed in Your Yard
Tip #11
Cutting Back Tropical Milkweed
Tip #14
Identifying Western Monarch Butterflies
Tip #17
Western Monarch Butterfly Lifecycle
Tip #20
Identifying Insects on Native Milkweed
Tip #23
Milkweed Flowering & Seed Collection
Tip #3
Pruning Native Milkweed During Dormancy
Tip #6
Native Milkweed vs Tropical Milkweed
Tip #9
Nectar Plants to Support Monarchs & Other Pollinators
Tip #12
Native Milkweed Varieties in San Diego
Tip #15
Irrigating Native Milkweed in Your Yard
Tip #18
What is the OE Parasite?
Tip #21
Transplanting Native Milkweed Seedlings
Tip #24
End of 'Tips of the Week' Series
