Millions of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed Straight for Florida This Spring

Spring is in the air, and I love it! The weather is getting warmer, and my trees are already blossoming. To celebrate the season, it’s only right that we honor one of the most beautiful migrations in nature every year. For Floridians, the Monarch migration is especially important, not just because of the migration path from Central Mexico, but also because they have been choosing Florida as their home, too. Grab a front-row seat this spring to watch the monarch butterflies in Florida. It's one spectacular spring phenomenon you don't want to miss!

Migration is not just for the birds — every year millions of monarch butterflies travel over 2,000 miles to make the migration for winter. Are there monarch butterflies in Florida? There sure are! While the destination for many of the butterflies is Central Mexico, many of the monarchs head to Florida for winter instead. We are lucky enough to have millions of monarch butterflies not only call their state home but also as a stopping point during the spring months.

When do monarch butterflies migrate through Florida? While it is true that the best time to see monarch butterflies in Florida is around the end of August, Floridians can still witness the spring breeding for millions of butterflies looking for warm weather.

One of the most beautiful places in Florida to see the monarchs is St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. This is the last stop for thousands of butterflies before they venture across the Gulf of Mexico. So, when you plan your visit to St. Marks during the fall months or for the spring migration back, you’re sure to witness a natural occurrence that is as spectacular as you could imagine.

You can also prepare your garden to receive these spring beauties. Planting milkweed would be the best way to attract butterflies. Milkweeds are essential for your garden as they are the primary plants used to lay their eggs. The plant also serves as a food source for the butterfly larvae.

Adding other colorful plants like zinnias is great too, as not only do they bring your garden to life, but they’re also a major source of nectar for the butterflies. One of the most important things to remember is to plant your flowers in a sunny area. The butterflies need the sun to keep their muscles and bodies warm during the season. So don’t hesitate to start your own garden to welcome the monarch butterflies to Florida this spring.

Have you ever had a front-row seat to this natural show before? Share with us some of your favorite places to snag a view of monarch butterflies in Florida on our nomination page.

Also, if you want another natural attraction to check out in Florida, pay a visit to Punta Gorda to check out this 30-acre art and botanical garden.