What are milkweed seeds?

Milkweed seeds are used to grow milkweed. The seeds are found in pods on the milkweed plant. Once fully developed, the pods split open and are filled with fluff, to which the seeds are attached. This promotes propagation as the seeds get carried by the wind.

Milkweed is essential to many animals, including the Monarch butterfly. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed and it is the only food Monarch caterpillars eat. Many conservation groups plant milkweed in areas where the Monarch butterfly population is dwindling to help promote the species. These same groups give milkweed seeds away for free to those who want to help the butterflies.