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Common Milkweed

Asclepias Syriaca

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Overview

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a robust perennial, thrives up to 6 ft tall in full sun. Recognizable by its large, oblong leaves and fragrant, spherical clusters of pink-purple flowers, it blooms June-August. This US native prefers well-drained soil but tolerates clay. It's crucial for Monarch butterflies, serving as a host for larvae. Spreads vigorously by rhizomes, milkweed is ideal for wildflower gardens and naturalized areas. Zones 3-9.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 3–9Type SucculentClimate Temperate

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

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 3–9

Shape & size

Mature height: 2–3 Ft.

Classification

Type: Succulent
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Climate: Temperate

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Photos (141)

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — including the iconic monarch butterfly.<br><br>After flowering

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — Spreads vigorously by rhizomes, milkweed is ideal for wildflower gardens and naturalized areas; is a robust, image 68

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — while the sap contains toxins and can be irritating to the skin; extensive root systems that make it, image 117

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — From June to August, the plant exhibits fragrant, spherical clusters of pale pink to mauve flowers; they, image 74

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — ready for wind dispersal.<br><br>As a landscape architect assistant; each cluster measures about 2 to 4, image 113

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — and it can tolerate poor soil conditions; it requires little care beyond initial establishment, image 115

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — This US native prefers well-drained soil but tolerates clay; these components are critical to the survival of, image 66

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — It's a fitting choice for naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, or butterfly gardens; spherical clusters of, image 116

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — including the iconic monarch butterfly.<br><br>After flowering; this plant typically grows to heights ranging, image 77

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — while the sap contains toxins and can be irritating to the skin; extensive root systems that make it drought-resistant

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — This US native prefers well-drained soil but tolerates clay; these components are critical to the survival of, image 97

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — succulent with multi-colored and pink and white blooms; it is important to note that Common Milkweed thrives, image 92

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — while the sap contains toxins and can be irritating to the skin; extensive root systems that make it, image 86

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — it is important to note that Common Milkweed thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; ready for wind

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — It's a fitting choice for naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, or butterfly gardens

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — and it can tolerate poor soil conditions; it requires little care beyond initial establishment, image 84

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — the plant produces distinctive spindle-shaped seed pods

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — scientifically known as Asclepias syriaca; including the iconic monarch butterfly.<br><br>After flowering, image 69

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — which reach 4 to 6 inches in length; it's a fitting choice for naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, or butterfly gardens

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — these components are critical to the survival of monarch larvae; which reach 4 to 6 inches in length

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — scientifically known as Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — scientifically known as Asclepias syriaca; including the iconic monarch butterfly.<br><br>After flowering, image 100

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — succulent for full

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — it is important to note that Common Milkweed thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; ready for wind, image 114

Photographs by 10 contributors

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
USFWS Midwest Region from United States, CC BY 2.0 · source
Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0 · source
Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C.,…, CC BY 2.0 · source
Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Ruslan Kastani, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
NY State IPM Program at Cornell…, CC BY 2.0 · source
Homer Edward Price, CC BY 2.0 · source
Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

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