Plants / Perennial plants / Common milkweed
Common milkweed
Scientific name :
Asclepias syriaca
Light Requirements :
Full sun
Height :
100 -150 cm
Width :
60 - 90 cm
Color :
Purple
Watering :
Once established, common milkweed requires very little watering. It’s highly drought-tolerant thanks to its deep root system. It thrives in well-drained soil and dislikes excess moisture, especially in heavy clay. During the first growing season, regular watering helps promote strong root development. After that, it generally needs no supplemental watering—even during hot, dry spells.
Maintenance :
This is a low-maintenance plant that thrives on neglect. It doesn’t require fertilizers and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. However, it spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes and can quickly take over a garden bed if left unchecked. It’s best suited for wildflower meadows, naturalized areas or large open spaces. To control it, you can cut back spreading rhizomes or remove unwanted shoots as needed. Deadheading before seedpods fully develop can help reduce self-seeding. In fall, you can cut it back to the ground or leave it standing to support overwintering insects and birds.
Bloom Time :
Mid-summer
Type :
Perennials
Hardiness :
3
Description :
Common milkweed is a hardy, native perennial known for supporting a wide variety of pollinators—especially monarch butterflies, which rely exclusively on milkweed species to reproduce. It features broad, matte-green leaves, fragrant globe-like flower clusters, and unique seed pods filled with silky-haired seeds that disperse with the win
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