It's fine as long as you cut it back in the fall. Having it flower over the winter makes the Monarchs stay here, which is why they get sick. There are also non-migratory monarchs that live in Florida, so it's a catch-22. I tend to say better safe than sorry. I grow it, but cut it back in the winter usually. Last year I didn't, because I had a monarch cocoon, but this year I definitely will.

This is a very informative article on the topic with links to the latest research. http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/is-tropical-milkweed-killing-monarch-butterflies/

I'd like to point out that this article is from April, 2014. The very
first response to the article, from July, 2014, states that A. curassavica is native to Florida, but this link
from the University of So. FL's Atlas of Florida Plants specifically states that it is not native, despite the fact that it has been found in many
FL counties.

I have been reading this information for a few years now. It is very frustrating for me to not be able to ever find the native milkweed as many times as I've tried contacting the native plant nursery and other local nurseries in my area. Have you been able to actually grow the plants to flowering from your seed? My understanding is that they are not easy to grow and don't last long, which may be the reason they are not easily available. Now, the tropical milkweed, curassavica is very easy and self sows like crazy in my garden. I feel some host plants for monarch eggs and caterpillars are better than none at all. I do pull them out after the main part of the season is over in late fall, and re-sow the seeds in hopes that the new crop won't harbor the disease. Some might say we are keeping them here instead of letting them migrate, but I've also read there are two populations in Florida- the ones that are programmed to stay year-round and the others that migrate. Until it is all figured out and the native milkweed plants (not seeds), are available in my area, I think I will continue to provide a healthy crop of the A. curassavica to those who are programmed to stay. Otherwise, aren't we being a party to decreasing populations? Don't know for sure.

Well said, Anna!

Sure native milkweeds are great, but not many places sell them and most are tough to keep going unless you have the habitat on your property they grow in naturally. Most don't like amended garden soil. I think those articles are bunk anyway. We have monarchs that stay here all year long and don't migrate just like a lot of our songbirds. If you want to grow scarlet milkweeds and enjoy the butterflies year round stop letting the scaremongers get to you and do what you want. Life is too short.

Scaremongers? I think you mean scientists, no? Is life too short to be concerned with global warming as well?

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/01/plan-save-monarch-butterflies-backfires

Nope I meant what I said ... scaremongers. Yup ... my life is too short to worry about global warming as well.

Sharon, now that I'm in my 70s, I find myself saying that, too, "life is too short to worry about ....". In my 30s, "Revolution" was the happening theme. Interesting how life and perspective change. (OK, next fall I'll pull my Tropical Milkweed. If this old brain remembers.)

Well Patty I guess you didn't read the comments from the article. Apparently not all the 'scientists' agree.

Irma - I suppose what I meant was I have better things to do with my life like try to pay the bills, keep house, take care of my family, and many other things that don't involve trying to fix problems that I have no control over.

Just because the powers that be say jump I see
no reason to ask how high ... never have and never will. If I were you I
wouldn't waste my energy on pulling out your milkweed. Scarlet milkweed
is all over Mexico, year round, yet monarchs still migrate. As I said
previously ... some monarchs migrate and some don't.

Sharon, thanks for sharing your article on native Milweeds. I really did learn a few new varieties. And you are right that some of these natives are down near impossible to find. I m trying to at least diversify from having just the tropicals but I had to go the seed route cause what plants I could find (online, nothing local...and I travel to all the plant shows!) were prohibitively expensive not including shipping. My seeds are cold stratifying now so I m keeping my fingers crossed for success!

I take cuttings all season long to keep them going. Easier than finding the seeds. They root easily. I grow them until a good size and out they go. I take cuttings from the cuttings.Before my cuttings get planted, I take cuttings from the growing tips. They root easily. I always have at least 20 plants growing.

If you join one of the many Monarch Societies in Florida, you can get free seeds from the members.There are mixed opinions about the variety. Most of the Societies ask that people tag their butterflies and swab them for OE.

I do the best I can. My yard is full of Monarchs. We do tag them and know most do not travel very far from our home.

More and more people are trying to help them. Other butterflies need help as well. I grow parsley and fennel for the Swallowtails.

I am not young either. But I would like these beautiful creatures to be around for my grandchildren, great grandchildren and for evey child to see.

Jane