Scarlet milkweed
Asclepias curassavica · Apocynaceae
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around scarlet milkweed and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Butterfly Weed
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Form
- Semi-woody shrub
- Adult height
- 1 to 1.5 m
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- June to October
- Hardiness
- Frost-sensitive (0 to 5 °C minimum)
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical America
Care
Light and exposure
Butterfly Weed demands full sun to flower abundantly. Place it in a location receiving 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In shade, flowering weakens and the plant becomes more leggy.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. In winter or during cooler periods, reduce watering significantly. Once established, the plant tolerates dry spells well.
Substrate and soil
Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root rot. Prepare a light, organic-rich mix with sand or perlite for porosity. The plant adapts to moderately fertile soils.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer every two months during the growing period (spring-summer). You can also use phosphorus-rich fertilizer to stimulate flowering. Stop feeding in autumn-winter.
Pruning and reshaping
Light pruning in spring promotes a compact, bushy habit. Remove dead or damaged branches. In late winter, you can partially cut back the plant to encourage branching.
Pests and diseases
Watch for aphids and mealybugs, attracted by the plant's latex richness. Inspect foliage and stems regularly. Excess humidity can promote fungal diseases; maintain good air circulation.
Did you know?
Butterfly Weed is the preferred host plant for the Monarch butterfly: its larvae feed exclusively on its leaves, accumulating toxic alkaloids to protect themselves from predators. This fascinating relationship makes it a key plant for Monarch conservation in North America, and it is often deliberately planted in gardens to support this emblematic species.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Lesser periwinkleVinca minor
- Greater periwinkleVinca major
- OleanderNerium oleander
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- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.