In recent decades, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has faced a major decline, leading to its listing as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. As monarchs depend upon milkweed species for their larval food source, the restoration of local milkweed plants is vital for the survival of monarch populations. Many conservation groups now propose that milkweed species to planted throughout the North American landscape to the aid this iconic butterfly species. Citizen scientists have been leading the fight to preserve monarch populations in the Midwest, through both the restoration of the native milkweed populations, planting of milkweed in residential gardens, and the indoor raising and eventual release of adult monarch butterflies. This study aimed to mimic the conditions used by citizen scientists to rear monarchs and compare the effects of different milkweed species on butterfly growth and survival. The host plant species examined were swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata L.), common milkweed (A. syriaca L.), butterfly weed (A. tuberosa L.), honeyvine (Cynanchum laeve [Michx.] Pers.), and non-native tropical milkweed (A. curassavica L.). Monarchs raised on swamp and tropical milkweed exhibited the best growth and survival rates during each life stage (larvae, pupae, and adult), compared to the other host plant species. However, tropical milkweed is not native to the Midwestern United States and may create an ecological trap for monarch butterflies, preventing their southward migration in late fall. Therefore, we recommend that Asclepias incarnata is best used for monarch rearing and release in the Midwest, at least based on captive rearing conditions.