Milkweed / Asclepias
Milkweed / Asclepias
Asclepias tuberosa
ornamental☀️ full-sun🪴 well drained📏 medium🌡️ RHS H7
☠️ Toxic to humans🐾 Toxic to pets
📋Quick Facts
Water
💧 Minimal watering
Hardiness
Zone 3-9
About
Essential for monarch butterflies; clusters of fragrant flowers.
Top tip
Milkweed needs sun and free drainage; avoid moving established plants and leave some seed pods for wildlife.
Also known as: Asclépia / erva-leiteira, Seidenpflanze, Algodoncillo / asclepia, Asclépiade, Asclepias tuberosa, Trojeść (Asclepias), Milkweed / Asclepias
Safety Information
Humans
⚠ ModeratePets
⚠ ModerateMedicinal Uses
Root traditionally used by Indigenous North American peoples for heart conditions and pleurisy. Cardiac glycosides are present; all parts are toxic — no safe self-medication. Topical root use documented for skin conditions.
Method: Root preparations (historical/traditional use only; toxic plant — not for self-medication)
Always wash hands after handling. Keep away from children and pets if toxic.
Pest Resilience
4/5 — Good resilience
Few pests; oleander aphid may appear but rarely causes serious damage.
The milkweed / asclepias year in your garden
Dispatching imaginary bots to check your garden out...
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How to Propagate
🌰Seed
Easy🌱Root division
ModerateThis plant produces viable seeds for propagation
Hardiness Zones
H1a (tender)H7 (very hardy)
RHS H7
USDA 4–5 equivalent