Asclepias erosa

Common Names

Desert Milkweed

Summary

Desert Milkweed is a native perennial herb to desert regions of southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, with erect yellow-green stems and opposite pale green leaves that may show white veining; it bears rounded umbels of cream to yellow flowers, contains a viscous milky sap, and fragrant nectar that attracts bees and butterflies and serves as a monarch butterfly larval host.

In cultivation it prefers full sun and well-drained soils, with low water needs and drought tolerance once established, and may rot in heavy irrigation or poorly drained soil; it is suitable for desert landscapes and pollinator gardens, with propagation by seed, division, or basal cuttings, and may experience slug damage in less favorable climates.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, preferably sandy, gritty, or loamy, avoiding heavy clay.

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Bloom Color

Cream

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Pale whitish-green to dark green with white veining

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division (rhizome division), Basal cuttings, Stem cuttings, Seed germination with stratification, Tissue culture (no widely available protocols)

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies (including monarchs), other pollinators, birds