Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias Speciosa

Design with this plant

Overview

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a native perennial, celebrated for its robust pinkish-purple blooms. Thriving in full sun, it grows 2-3 ft tall, with a 1-2 ft spread, and flourishes in zones 3-9. It's drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's an eco-conscious choice. Plant in well-draining soil; cautionary note: sap may irritate skin. Ideal to naturalize in wildflower meadows or borders.

Sun FullWater Very LowZones 4–10Type PerennialClimate Arid
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — Ideal to naturalize in wildflower meadows or borders; large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4, image 90
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — upright growth habit and attractive foliage; essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's anShowy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — adding to the biodiversity of the garden ecosystem.<br><br>In your landscape design; essential for pollinatorsShowy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — Plant in well-draining soil; cautionary note: sap may irritate skin; essential for pollinators, especially, image 117Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — which measure about 3 to 5 inches across; essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's an, image 101Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — where its showy presence and ecological benefits can be fully appreciated; it is drought-tolerant once, image 107Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — enhancing the aesthetic and wildlife value of your client's garden+131

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
USDA zones
4–10

Shape & size

Mature height
2–4 Ft.
Mature width
2–3 Ft.

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Asclepiadaceae
Climate
Arid

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (138)

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — Ideal to naturalize in wildflower meadows or borders; large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4, image 90
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — upright growth habit and attractive foliage; essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's an
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — adding to the biodiversity of the garden ecosystem.<br><br>In your landscape design; essential for pollinators
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — Plant in well-draining soil; cautionary note: sap may irritate skin; essential for pollinators, especially, image 117
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — which measure about 3 to 5 inches across; essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's an, image 101
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — where its showy presence and ecological benefits can be fully appreciated; it is drought-tolerant once, image 107
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — enhancing the aesthetic and wildlife value of your client's garden
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — pink and white flowers in the garden; large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4 feet with a, image 82
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — perennial for full; enhancing the aesthetic and wildlife value of your client's garden, image 112
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — pink and white flowers in the garden; large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4 feet with a similar spread
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — which measure about 3 to 5 inches across; essential for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, it's an
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — It is drought-tolerant once established; large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4 feet with a similar spread
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a native perennial, celebrated for its robust pinkish-purple blooms
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — large leaves.<br><br>Reaching heights of about 2 to 4 feet with a similar spread; it is drought-tolerant once established
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — spanning up to 6 inches long; it is drought-tolerant once established
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — this plant is renowned for its role as a vital host for Monarch butterflies
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — spanning up to 6 inches long
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — the plant's nectar-rich flowers attract a wide array of beneficial pollinators; enhancing the aesthetic and, image 104
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — perennial for full
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — spanning up to 6 inches long; it is drought-tolerant once established, image 99
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — the plant is adorned with alluring spherical flower clusters; enhancing the aesthetic and wildlife value of, image 72
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — the Showy Milkweed is characterized by its stout
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — It's drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias Speciosa) — perennial with pink and white blooms; it is drought-tolerant once established
Photographs by 11 contributors

Related plants

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa) — Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a vibrant perennial native to the US

Perennial

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias Tuberosa

FullUSDA 3–9
California Desert Milkweed (Asclepias Erosa) — Its stout, erect stems are adorned with thick, oblong leaves that span about 4 to 8 inches long

Perennial

California Desert Milkweed

Asclepias Erosa

FullUSDA 8–11
California Milkweed (Asclepias Californica) — adding a touch of elegance to the landscape design.<br><br>Thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10

Perennial

California Milkweed

Asclepias Californica

FullUSDA 8–11
California Monarch Milkweed (Asclepias Eriocarpa) — The California Monarch Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) flourishes in USDA zones 7-10

Perennial

California Monarch Milkweed

Asclepias Eriocarpa

FullUSDA 8–11
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — When these pods mature and split open in the fall; succulent with multi-colored and pink and white blooms, image 111

Succulent

Common Milkweed

Asclepias Syriaca

FullUSDA 3–9
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias Subulata) — white flowers in the garden

Succulent

Desert Milkweed

Asclepias Subulata

FullUSDA 8–11