Product Review
sclepias or Tropical Milkweed is an upright, open growing flowering perennial native to the American tropics. It is cultivated worldwide for it's showy flowers and ability to attract butterflies, especially Monarch and Queen. Plants grow fast and upright, and generally mature between 3 and 4 feet tall. The narrow, oblong, pointed lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs, spaced out along pale gray green stems filled with a milky sap. Flowers composed of a bright yellow ring of sepals crowned by a gold orange corrolla. Milkweed is easy to grow, will thrive in a wide range of soil types and is quite drought tolerant once well established. Flowers begin to appear in mid to late spring and continue almost year round. It is generally evergreen in Zones 9B, 10, 11. In Zones 9A and 8B, well established plants will generally freeze to the ground and resprout in the spring. The flowers are attractive to butterflies, especially Monarchs. It's a great choice for butterfly gardens and mixed perennial beds and borders and requires little care or maintenance.
- Asclepias or Tropical Milkweed is an upright, open-growing flowering perennial. It is cultivated worldwide for its showy flowers and ability to attract butterflies, quick and easy care habit.
- Plants grow fast and upright, and generally mature between 3 and 4 feet tall. The narrow, oblong, pointed lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs, spaced out along pale gray-green stems filled with a milky sap, and are prolific season-long bloomers producing flowers composed of a bright yellow ring of sepals crowned by a red corolla. Its a great choice for butterfly gardens, mixed perennial beds and borders, and requires only basic care.
- 🤗 Care: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil in full sun. Maintain consistent moisture; avoid overwatering, which causes weak, spotted growth and poor flowering. Feed with a quality slow-release, bloom-boosting fertilizer at planting and annually each spring. Pro-Tip: In tropical areas, prune heavily in early fall to support migration patterns. Note: Plants typically recover from host feeding spontaneously once pupae form; no treatment is required for regrowth.
- Indoor Growing: Milkweed plants are best grown outdoors due to the leggy, open habit, light, temperature and high humidity requirements. Suitable for habitat enclosures as a food source and host.
- Climate: Milkweed is a tropical plant recommended for growing in Zones 9, 10, and 11. Protection from cold temperatures is required in all Zones for the longest life, best appearance, and earliest flowering. Note that Zone recommendations are based on average temperatures and does not consider other variables.
