Also known as Broadleaf Milkweed · Butterfly Flower · Common Asclepias
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a hardy perennial herb native to North America. It's crucial for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, featuring fragrant pink to purple
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Requires full sun (at least 6 hours direct sunlight) for best growth and flowering.
90% intensity
Drought tolerant once established, water during prolonged dry spells.
30% intensity
Well-drained, sandy, loamy soils
50% intensity
Hardy and adaptable to temperate climates, thriving in temperatures between 10-30 °C.
70% intensity
Outdoor
50% intensity
Generally not required; thrives in average to poor soils without supplemental feeding.
10% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Contains cardiac glycosides (cardenolides) in its milky sap, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, weakness, and potentially cardiac issues if ingested by humans or animals.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Common Milkweed is drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering. During prolonged dry spells, especially in its first year, provide supplemental water to ensure healthy growth.
Overwatering should be avoided as it can lead to root rot. Aim for consistently moist but not waterlogged soil.
Pruning is not strictly necessary but can be done to manage size or encourage bushier growth. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring to about 15 cm from the ground.
Deadheading spent flowers can prevent self-seeding, though allowing seed pods to mature provides winter interest and food for wildlife.
Common Milkweed is easily propagated by seed or by division of its rhizomatous root system. Seeds require a cold stratification period before germination.
Sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall or early spring, or start indoors after stratification. Root divisions can be taken in spring or fall.
Repotting is generally not applicable as Common Milkweed is typically grown outdoors in the ground. If grown in a large container, it may need repotting every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and manage root growth, moving to a slightly larger pot if necessary.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
13 known issues from plant disease data
Anthracnose on Butterfly Flower causes small brown leaf spots, water-soaked stem lesions, yellowing, and tip dieback above cankers.
Crown gall on Butterfly Flower forms rough swollen galls near the crown or roots, reducing vigor and leaving plants stunted and weak overall.
Aster yellows on Butterfly Flower causes yellowing, stunting, many thin shoots, and green malformed flowers or flowerlike leaves.
Root-knot nematode in Butterfly Flower causes swollen root galls, yellowing, wilting, and stunted plants with weak growth.
Foliar nematode on Butterfly Flower causes angular brown leaf patches between veins, twisting, distortion, and early leaf blighting.
Ascochyta leaf spot on Butterfly Flower causes pale to tan leaf spots with darker margins, and severe spotting yellows and blights leaves.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Species | Asclepias syriaca |
Similar in genus Asclepias
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
