Common Milkweed

Common milkweed
(Asclepias syriaca)

Availability:

• Anticipated for later in the season

Height:

• 2 to 6 feet

Bloom:

• June to August

Classification:

• Native
• Perennial

Sun:

• Full sun

Soil moisture:

• Dry to medium

Used by:

• Butterflies / moths (flowers),
• Hummingbirds (flowers),
• Honey bees (flowers),
• Native bees (flowers),
• Beetles (flowers),
• Caterpillars (leaves)

Notes:

• Favorite host plant of monarch caterpillars
• Spreads by clonal root shoots, can be aggressive in small gardens
• Will bloom later in season if cut back or mowed before going to seed

Native Range:

Relevant Backyard Ecology Resources:

Plant Multiple Species of Native Milkweeds for Monarch Caterpillars

Milkweeds in Urban and Suburban Monarch Waystations with Dr. Adam Baker

Plant Taller Milkweed Species for Monarchs

Diversity Matters When Gardening for Monarchs

Lightning bugs and Fireflies – A conversation with Lynn Faust, Part 2