Tall stems with large, light green leaves. The summer flowers are a magnet for insects of all types. Large, round heads of pinkish-purple, fragrant flowers are held at the tips of the stems. The beauty of the flowers and the incredible insect activity they generate are captivating. Large seed pods form in late summer and disperse fluffy seeds that float through the air in fall. Common milkweed can spread quite prolifically from seed and rhizomes. It is a larval host for the monarch butterfly.Part of our Monarch Cafe plant tag series.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
36 to
60
inches
Spread:
24 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
60
inches
Spread: 24 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
60
inches
Spread: 24 to
36
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Naturalized prairie plantings, wildflower meadows. Due to spread by aggressive underground rhizomes, not recommended for tidy, small gardens.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Full sun. Adaptable. Rich soil promotes aggressive growth. Remove the seed pods if self-seeding is a nuisance.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fragrant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.