Alphabetical Plant Listing

Asclepias viridis (Green Milkweed)

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


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 butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial 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!

  • 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

Milkweed: How To Grow and Care with Success

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

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Requirements

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

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MaryAnne Campbell, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

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

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Asclepias

Guides with Asclepias

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