Common Milkweed - Asclepias syriaca
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
A native perennial that attracts butterflies, including monarchs serving as a host for their eggs. Monarch caterpillars rely on the plant's long leaves for food.
Known for its rapid growth, common milkweed reaches heights of two to four feet and displays fragrant pink-purple flower clusters from late spring to midsummer.
Family: Apocynaceae/Asclepiadaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size: 2-4 ft. tall, 24-30 in. wide
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time: Summer
Flower Color: Pink, white
Zones: 3-9
ToxicityToxic to humans and pets
Milkweed can Cause Serious Poisoning. National Capital Poison Control.
Common milkweed has an aggressive spread, fits better in naturalized areas like fields, meadows, and butterfly gardens rather than formal borders. Spreads by roots and seeds.