Monarch Watch (University of Kansas)
Free Milkweeds for Schools & Non-Profits
Free native milkweed plants (a flat of 32) for a school butterfly garden, shipped free. Schools and educational nonprofits apply each fall and winter.
- Amount
- One flat (32 plugs) of native milkweeds, free of charge, shipping included
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Open
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opOpen to schools and educational nonprofits. Private schools and microschools count as schools. The 2027 form says “Gardens must be on public property,” and lets a homeschool group apply only on public property, so ask Monarch Watch whether a private school's own grounds count.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- National: schools in any US state
- Last checked
- Oct 9, 2026on monarchwatch.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- That the Spring 2027 form is taking answers right now (the page's 'closed' notice is hidden and the timeline says it opens in early October, but the form needs a Google sign-in to view)
- Whether a garden on a private school's own grounds counts as “public property”
How to apply
- Step 1: Pick a sunny garden spot of at least 100 square feet
- Step 2: Get a letter of support from your school saying the space will be kept
- Step 3: Take a photo of the site and draw a simple garden plan
- Step 4: Apply early with the online form (first come, first served)
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Schools and Educational Non-Profits who demonstrate the following will be given priority for free milkweeds”
You need at least 100 square feet of garden space with 6 or more hours of sun, a long-term care plan, nectar plants, and a letter of support from your school saying the plants won't be pulled. You'll upload a site photo and a garden diagram, and fill out a fall follow-up survey. Plants are awarded first come, first served. The application asks for your ecoregion; if it isn't listed, there are no milkweeds for your area that year.
- At least 100 sq ft of garden space with 6+ hours of sun
- Garden on public property (the 2027 form says so)
- Long-term maintenance plan
- Letter of support from your school or organization
- Site photo and garden diagram
- Fall follow-up survey
- Past recipients only for a new location
Timing
Applications usually open in early October and close in early to mid-February, depending on milkweed supply. Awards go out in mid-March and plants ship April to mid-May. First come, first served.