Sweetly scented clusters of rose-pink flowers bloom in summer. Butterflies find the faint vanilla fragrance irresistible, and monarch larvae feed on the foliage. Grows naturally in swamps and wet meadows but also grows well in the garden and grows well in poorly drained clay soil. Part of our Monarch Cafe plant tag series.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Swamp Milkweed; Marsh Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Pink / Rose, White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Hummingbird, 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
Use in perennial borders and along pond and stream banks. Good for butterfly gardens.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows easily in full sun to light shade and average to moist soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Containers, Fragrant, Rainscaping
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.