Milkweed
Asclepias species produce showy
owers in a variety of colors. They are
excellent for attracting butteries and
other pollinating insects. They are a must
for Monarch butteries, as they are the
Monarch’s primary host plant.
lorida has native Asclepias species,
most of which are perennials. ix are
available commercially, most commonly
utteryweed A. tuberosa subsp. roli,
ink milkweed A. incarnata and White
milkweed A. perennis.
utteryweed is the most widely
recognized native milkweed. It occurs
in sandy uplands and is good for dry
landscapes. ink milkweed is a striking
species and makes an excellent addition
to moist, sunny landscapes. White milkweed
is also good for moist to wet spots.
Description
Asclepias owers consist of petals that
reex backward and an upright crown
corona of crested hoods that are often
mistaken for petals.
utteryweed is the most widely
recognized of the native milkweeds.
It produces showy clusters of bright
reddish-orange owers and has coarse
oval- to lance-shaped leaves. Its peak
bloom time is late spring through late
fall. utteryweed lacks the milky sap of
most milkweeds. The lorida subspecies
tends to be less bushy than its northern
counterpart.
ink milkweed owers range in color from
light pink to rose. Its leaves are lance- to
linear-shaped and up to inches long.
White milkweed produces white to pale
pink owers. It is a shorter, more delicate
species of milkweed. Its leaves are lanceshaped
and bright green. It produces
smaller owerheads than the others.
Planting
Milkweed works best in mixed buttery
and wildower gardens. In the landscape,
space plants to feet apart in clusters
of three or more plants.
Seeds
The small, at seeds are born in pods that
split to release seeds. ttached to each
seed are silky white laments that aid in
wind dispersal. eeds may be collected
from plants once pods split. ative
ecotype milkweed seeds are generally not
commercially available.
eeds can be stored
in the refrigerator for
a couple of months.
erminate them on
top of the soil with
a light mix barely
covering the seeds.
Once sprouted, seedlings should be
potted and allowed to grow to inches
before transplanting.
Plants
Milkweeds are typically available in
-inch, -inch and gallon pots.
Care
Most milkweeds reuire light annual
pruning to remove dead stems.
Site conditions
utteryweed is best suited for dry to
slightly moist well-drained soils in full sun.
ink and White milkweeds reuire moist to
wet soils, and do well along pond edges
or similar sites. They can tolerate short
periods of drought once established,
but soil should be kept moist to wet in
summer. ink milkweed does best in full
sun but may adjust to partial shade. White
milkweed can tolerate more shade. oth
do well in pots.
Hardiness zones
utteryweed and ink milkweed are best
suited for zones ab White milkweed
does best in zones ab.
Milkweed is the larval host plant
for Monarch, ueen and oldier
butteries and is an important nectar
source for these and other butteries,
including ipevine, picebush and
astern swallowtails.
ative sweat bees, leafcutter bees
and yellow-faced bees forage the
owers for pollen and nectar.
Do not confuse these
plants with their nonnative
relative, Tropical
ft
ectar
CAUTION
milkweed Asclepias
curassavica, which is
typically sold at big box
retail garden centers. A. curassavica,
which does not die back in winter in
lorida as do native milkweeds, can
encourage overwintering in adult
Monarch butteries and is linked to
the transmission of Ophryocystis
elektroscirrha O infection. Inquire
purchasing a native, or visit a
plants. When purchasing milkweed
plants or seeds, look for and request
Photo by Mary Keim
Pink milkweed
Photo by Peg Urban
Photo by Mary Keim