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Asclepias viridis (Green Milkweed)

Green Milkweed, Spider Milkweed, American Silkweed, Jewelweed, Silken Cissy, Silkweed, Green Antelope Horns

Asclepias viridis, Green Milkweed, Spider Milkweed, American Silkweed, Jewelweed, Silken Cissy, Silkweed, Green flowers

Asclepias viridis (Green Milkweed) is an upright perennial boasting interesting clusters, about the size of a baseball, packed with tiny flowers, each adorned with 5 upright pale green petals that cup upward twice as high as their 5 purple hoods. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, the flowers are borne on sturdy stems clad with long, narrow, pale green leaves, often folded lengthwise. They are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects. They give way to seed pods that contain seeds attached to fine silk. When the pod splits open, the silk catches the breeze and flies away, carrying the seed. A great choice for the flower garden and for natural settings. Milkweed plants are critical to monarch butterflies‘ survival, whose population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!

Milkweed plants belong to the Apocynaceae family, which includes other flowering plants such as oleander, hoya, plumeria, and the desert rose.

  • Grows up to 18-30 in. tall (45-75 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun in dry to medium well-drained soils. Drought tolerant.
  • Low maintenance, this perennial plant is generally pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Perfect for sunny borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, and prairies or naturalized areas.
  • Propagate by seeds.
  • Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring drugs that increase the force of heart contraction and have been used to treat heart conditions. The cardiac glycosides are potentially poisonous to humans. But they pose the most danger to grazing animals. However, it should be noted that not all milkweed species are equally toxic. Among the most toxic are Asclepias labriformis (Labriform Milkweed), Asclepias subverticillata (Western Whorled Milkweed), Asclepias eriocarpa (Woolypod Milkweed), and Asclepias fascicularis (Mexican Whorled Milkweed).
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to Southeastern North America
  • Got questions about milkweed? We have the answers!

Grow Milkweed, Save Monarch Butterflies: A Step-by-Step Guide


By providing the right growing conditions, you can enjoy healthy and vibrant milkweed in your garden while supporting pollinator populations.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Asclepias
Common names Jewelweed, Milkweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Midwest, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Asclepias (Milkweed)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Asclepias eriocarpa (Woollypod Milkweed)
Asclepias subulata (Rush Milkweed)
Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed)
Asclepias cordifolia (Heartleaf Milkweed)
Asclepias linaria (Pine-Needle Milkweed)
Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed)

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Asclepias (Milkweed)
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Save Monarch Butterflies with these Milkweed Plants
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Asclepias
Common names Jewelweed, Milkweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Midwest, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Asclepias (Milkweed)
Not sure which Asclepias (Milkweed) to pick?
Compare Now

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    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

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