Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Also listed as Asclepias intermedia, Asclepias apocinum
Also known as Silkweed, Broadleaf Milkweed, Silky Milkweed
Climate Match for your location
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A native perennial wildflower with pink to mauve flower clusters and elongated leaves that attract monarch butterflies. Once established, it spreads readily and requires minimal water and care.
Why grow it
Common milkweed outperforms many ornamental perennials in drought tolerance and establishment speed once roots are mature. Unlike native milkweed species that require stratification or take longer to establish, Asclepias syriaca reaches flowering size relatively quickly and supports monarch butterfly populations across a broader geographic range. Its dense flower clusters and coarse foliage provide visual interest while requiring minimal fertilizer or supplemental water in most climates.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during the first growing season, so initial establishment requires more attention than the mature plant suggests. Seedlings can take two to three years to flower from seed, and hand-pulling or repeated mowing may be needed in early years to manage density if plants are densely sown. In gardens with limited space, monitor spread in the second and third seasons to prevent overcrowding of neighboring plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native perennial wildflower with pink to mauve flower clusters and elongated leaves that attract monarch butterflies. Once established, it spreads readily and requires minimal water and care.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Milkweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common milkweed outperforms many ornamental perennials in drought tolerance and establishment speed once roots are mature. Unlike native milkweed species that require stratification or take longer to establish, Asclepias syriaca reaches flowering size relatively quickly and supports monarch butterfly populations across a broader geographic range. Its dense flower clusters and coarse foliage provide visual interest while requiring minimal fertilizer or supplemental water in most climates.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during the first growing season, so initial establishment requires more attention than the mature plant suggests. Seedlings can take two to three years to flower from seed, and hand-pulling or repeated mowing may be needed in early years to manage density if plants are densely sown. In gardens with limited space, monitor spread in the second and third seasons to prevent overcrowding of neighboring plantings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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