Asclepias
( ass - KLEEP - ee - ass )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Milkweed, these plants need full sun and moderate water, and are easy-to-grow garden plants whose nectar will attract butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden. They bloom in early summer, with many star-like small flowers that bloom in clusters. Inflated seedpods will split when ripe to reveal silky seeds and milky sap. Take care when planting Milkweed in your garden, as all parts are poisonous if ingested.
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Asclepias Species and Varietals
The genus Asclepias includes over 200 species, and is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae. The genus was first formally described by none other than Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and was named after the Greek God of healing, Asclepius. The best growing zones for Milkweed depend on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Asclepias albicans (Whitestem Milkweed, Wax Milkweed) This species is native to California, Arizona, and Baja Mexico, and is a spindly shrub that produces young branches clothed in wax (hence the common name Wax Milkweed). Flowers bloom in inflorescences throughout the entire year and are purple-tinted green with cream to white sepals. |
Asclepias asperula (Antelope Horns Milkweed, Spider Milkweed) This species of Milkweed is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and is a very commonly-encountered species in Texas. These plants favor very fast-draining, rocky soils and because of their deep taproot, do not do well when grown in containers. |
Asclepias connivens (Baldwin's Milkweed, Largeflower Milkweed) This species grows mostly in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and is at home in wetland areas. It was first identified by American botanist William Baldwin in 1817. The specific epithet 'connivens' refers to the conniving (converging) hoods over the flower stigma. These plants die back to the ground in wintertime and emerge the following spring. |
Asclepias curassavica (Bloodflower, Tropical Milkweed, Hierba de la Cucaracha, Mexican Butterfly Weed, Scarlet Milkweed, Wild Ipecacuanha) This species of Milkweed grows best in zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2, or in any zone as an annual. Native to South America, this woody-based plant has stiff stems and gets to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Flowers are vivid red. Variety 'Silky Gold' has bright yellow to yellow-orange blooms. Needs moderate amounts of water to perform well. |
Asclepias eriocarpa (Woolypod Milkweed, Indian Milkweed, Kotolo) These plants are covered in thick, white hairs and produce white to cream-colored flowers that are tinted with bright pink. Blooms pop from May through October. This species is native to California, Nevada, and Baja California, where it grows on rocky hillsides, woods, deserts, and other dry areas. |
Asclepias exaltata (Poke Milkweed, Tall Milkweed) This species is native to eastern North America, and blooms from late spring through early summertime. These plants love to grow in moist woodland habitats, along shorelines, and at forest edges. They prefer soil to be kept moist, and to have partial sun exposure. These plants reach just under 5 feet tall. Flowers are green and white. |
Asclepias humistrata (Sandhill Milkweed, Pinewoods Milkweed, Pink-Veined Milk Plant) Native to the southeastern United States, this species blooms in spring and summer, producing pink-lavender-white shows of blooms. These plants prefer well-draining rocky soils and sandy woodland areas, and reach between 1 and 3 feet tall at maturity. |
Asclepias involucrata (Asclepias macrosperma) (Dwarf Milkweed) This wildflower species of Milkweed is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows well in mixed desert shrub and juniper woodland. These plants reach just 10 inches tall, hence its common name 'Dwarf Milkweed'. |
Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed) This native to western and central North America grows best in zones 1-24, and grows to 2-4 feet tall and a little less wide. Can spread by underground stems to form colonies of plants. Leaves are gray and soft, and summer flowers form balls of purple-pink blooms that are fragrant. Needs only occasional water once established. |
Asclepias subverticillata (Horsetail Milkweed, Poison Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed) This species blooms from May through September, and is very toxic to grazing livestock and other animals, hence its common name, Poison Milkweed. It is native to New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Mexico. Flowers are white. |
Asclepias sullivantii (Prairie Milkweed, Sullivant's Milkweed, Smooth Milkweed) This species is native to Ontario, Canada and the central United States, and produces pink to purple flowers. These flowers are endangered in some areas of their native range, and they normally grow in rocky, dry and disturbed soils along roadways and railways. |
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) This native to the eastern United States grows best in zones 1-24 and forms a clump 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Clusters of bright orange flowers bloom in summer, and attract butterflies as well as birds. Varieties include those in the Gay Butterfly series (with yellow, red, orange, pink, or bicolored blossoms), and 'Hello Yellow' (with bright yellow blooms). This species is especially attractive to monarch butterflies, who lay their eggs which hatch into hungry caterpillars that feed on the leaves. |
Caring for Asclepias
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
Learn about Butterfly Weed.
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Growing Swamp Milkweed.
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A crash course in Milkweed history and usefulness.
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Species Asclepias incarnata and Asclepias tuberosa are covered in this video.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 172 - 173, Asclepias
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