March 12 marks National Plant a Flower Day, a perfect opportunity to embrace the sunshine and plant flowers that support pollinators like the endangered eastern monarch butterfly. With warmer temperatures and an extra hour of daylight thanks to Daylight Saving Time, now is the ideal time to get your garden ready for spring.
Why Plant Flowers on National Plant a Flower Day?
Planting native flowers is crucial for maintaining healthy local ecosystems and supporting pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Unfortunately, due to factors like pesticide use, pollinator populations are declining. One example is the eastern monarch butterfly, whose numbers hit the second-lowest on record in 2024, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
During the 2023-2024 winter season, eastern monarch butterfly colonies in Mexico covered just 2.2 acres of forest—a 59% decrease from the previous year. Jorge Rickards, WWF Mexico’s general director, expressed concern about this decline, noting that it’s not the first time the butterfly’s habitat has shifted.
A Positive Outlook for 2025
Despite the troubling figures, there is hope. A recent report released on March 6 reveals that the monarch population nearly doubled in 2025, occupying 4.42 acres in Mexico’s forests. Although this is a positive step, the population remains well below historical averages. In 1996-1997, monarchs occupied nearly 45 acres of forest, more than ten times the space they occupy today.
How You Can Help Monarch Butterflies and Pollinators
You don’t need a backyard to help monarchs. Whether you have a garden, a few pots, or just some dirt, you can support pollinators. Nearly everyone in the U.S. lives in the monarchs’ migratory range, so there are opportunities to help across the country.
Creating a pollinator garden with native wildflowers, especially milkweed, is one of the best ways to assist monarchs. This provides a steady source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, ensuring they have the energy needed for their long migrations.
Planting Native Wildflowers
On National Plant a Flower Day, why not start by planting native wildflowers? Monarch butterflies are picky as caterpillars, but once they become adults, they feed on a variety of flowers.
Xerces Society offers a guide to flowers based on regions, helping gardeners select plants that provide nectar year-round. In Florida, for example, plants like scorpion-tail and seaside goldenrod bloom year-round. Seaside goldenrod is especially valuable, as it thrives in sandy soils and tolerates saltwater, making it an important nectar source for monarchs in that region.
By planting flowers that bloom at different times, you can ensure a constant supply of nectar for migrating monarchs. This simple act helps ensure their survival and supports the health of other pollinators.
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