Skip to content

Common Milkweed

Asclepias Syriaca

Design with this plant

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 3–9Climate Temperate
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a robust perennial, thrives up to 6 ft tall in full sun

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature height
2–3 Ft.

Classification

Family
Asclepiadaceae
Climate
Temperate

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (121)

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — the milkweed boasts a unique grayish-green foliage; from June to August, the plant exhibits fragrant, image 73
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — When these pods mature and split open in the fall; succulent with multi-colored and pink and white blooms, image 80
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) — the plant produces distinctive spindle-shaped seed pods, image 78
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — which reach 4 to 6 inches in length; it's a fitting choice for naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, or, image 79
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — providing visual interest and a sweet scent that attracts a variety of pollinators; oblong leaves and fragrant, image 76
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) — Each cluster measures about 2 to 4 inches across; as a low-maintenance addition, image 75
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — and it can tolerate poor soil conditions; it requires little care beyond initial establishment, image 84
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — It's a fitting choice for naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, or butterfly gardens; spherical clusters of, image 85
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — it is important to note that Common Milkweed thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; ready for wind, image 83
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) — these components are critical to the survival of monarch larvae; which reach 4 to 6 inches in length, image 87
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — they reveal seeds attached to silky strands; spreads vigorously by rhizomes, milkweed is ideal for wildflower, image 81
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — ready for wind dispersal.<br><br>As a landscape architect assistant; each cluster measures about 2 to 4, image 82
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — As a low-maintenance addition; while the sap contains toxins and can be irritating to the skin, image 88
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — succulent for full; making it a valuable plant for those looking to create a sustainable and vibrant landscape, image 93
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — multi-colored and pink and white flowers in the garden; providing visual interest and a sweet scent that, image 91
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) — making it a valuable plant for those looking to create a sustainable and vibrant landscape; scientifically, image 90
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — it requires little care beyond initial establishment; succulent for full, image 89
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) — oblong leaves and fragrant; the milkweed boasts a unique grayish-green foliage, image 95
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) — It's crucial for Monarch butterflies, serving as a host for larvae; common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a, image 98

Related plants