Asclepias speciosa

Common Names

Showy Milkweed, Milkweed

Summary

Showy Milkweed is a western North American native perennial in the Apocynaceae family with erect, unbranched stems about 2–4 ft tall and large opposite, velvety gray-green leaves. It features crown-like umbels of large pink to pinkish-rose flowers, often fragrant, with reflexed petals, and seed pods 11–13 cm long. It grows in meadows, open woodlands, and streamsides at elevations around 1500–2600 m and blooms roughly May–September. As a monarch butterfly host plant and nectar source, it attracts monarchs, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, and spreads via underground rhizomes with a long taproot that makes transplanting challenging.

It prefers full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating a moisture range from moist to drought conditions once established. Propagation occurs by seed (wind-dispersed) or rhizome/root cuttings, with direct sowing in fall common; it has hardiness in zones 3a–9b. Maintenance is generally low. This species provides habitat for monarchs and a diverse pollinator community and is suitable for butterfly gardens, meadows, and naturalized borders where spread can be managed.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day); tolerates partial shade

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

Blue-green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Aggressive

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, birds