Asclepias syriaca

Plant Family

Asclepiadaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Asclepias syriaca

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Common Milkweed

General Description

A host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, common milkweed is a tall, upright, vigorously spreading herbaceous perennial from eastern and central North America. In late spring its wandering underground rhizomes send up tough fibrous thigh-high stems with large leathery oval leaves. Cut stems bleed milky sap. Domed heads of sweet-scented, dull purplish-pink flowers appear at the stem tips and leaf axils in early summer. Butterflies flock to the blooms. Large green flask-shaped seedpods follow the flowers, maturing to tan. They split lengthwise in fall to release brown seeds that float away on white down.

Common milkweed thrives in sun and well-drained soil. This aggressive spreader is best reserved for meadow plantings and other areas where it can roam freely. It makes a perfect choice for large butterfly gardens.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  9 - 2

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  3 - 9

• Plant Type

  Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun

• Height

  2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m

• Width

  5'-20' / 1.5m - 6.1m

• Bloom Time

  Early Summer, Summer

• Native To

  Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Central United States, Canada

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Upright/Erect

• Seasonal Interest

  Summer

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  Purple, Pink

• Fruit Color

  Green, Tan

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Blue Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green, Blue Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green, Light Yellow

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  Yes

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  No

• Foliage Texture

  Coarse

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  No

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Wildflower

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  Sometimes

• Attracts

  Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  Yes