GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Collecting and storing milkweed seeds is easy, rewarding, and growing native milkweed helps our Monarch butterflies. Here's how to do it right.

Step 1: Identify the Right Milkweed to Collect

In the Midwest, the most common native species include:

Tip: Only collect seeds from healthy, pesticide-free plants, and avoid harvesting in protected natural areas unless you have permission.

Step 2: Know When to Harvest

Milkweed seed pods are ready to harvest when:

Avoid green pods or white, immature seeds—they won’t germinate well.

Step 3: Collect the Seeds

Gently open the pod: Use your fingers to pry open the seam if it hasn’t split yet.

Hold the floss (coma): The fluffy white fibers (called floss) are attached to the seeds.

Strip the seeds away: Pinch the base of t

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