How to Grow and Care for Showy Milkweed

Butterfly Magnet With Ornamental Value

By
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way.
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Updated on 06/09/22
Reviewed by
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Reviewed by Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Closeup of showy milkweed blossoms with a bee pollinator

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Showy milkweed provides two attractive components to your garden. First of all, it bears lovely rosy purple flowers. Secondly, it is also a great plant for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. In autumn, the flowers are succeeded by striking seed pods up to three inches long.

The pods split open at maturity to reveal the seeds within. A cotton-like fluff is attached to the seeds, allowing them to be spread by the wind. When the stem of showy milkweed is broken, a milky sap runs out of it, accounting for the common name "milkweed." The leaves are large and up to 8 inches long, oval, bluish-green, and have prominent veins.

Showy milkweed resembles common milkweed, but it can be distinguished from the latter in two ways:

  • Flowers: The star-shaped flowers are larger, and there is more space between the individual flowers in the flower head (or "umbel," which measures 3 inches across), making them stand out in a showy fashion
  • By the presence of tiny fibers or "hairs" on the plant

Showy milkweed is perhaps most valued as being a host plant for the larvae (caterpillars) of monarch butterflies. Learn how to give showy milkweed the optimal conditions that it needs to put on a spectacular show in your landscape.

Warning

Be aware that Showy Milkweed has qualities that are toxic to humans and animals.

Common Name Showy milkweed
Botanical Name Asclepias speciosa
Family Apocynaceae
Plant Type Herbaceous, Perennial
Mature Size 1-3 feet tall
Sun Exposure Full
Soil Type Well-drained
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Bloom Time Spring, Summer
Flower Color Purple, Pink
Hardiness Zones 3-9 (USDA)
Native Area North America
Toxicity Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans

Showy Milkweed Care

Showy milkweed is easy to grow. It tolerates drought and poor soils. It may perform better in such ground than it does in soils that are wet and very fertile.

Since the plant will self-seed, some gardeners may find it a bit too easy to grow. There are better-behaved plants to grow in a mixed flower bed than showy milkweed; however, it does not spread as much as the common milkweed. To prevent the plant from spreading, simply cut off the seed pods before they open.

Once the plant becomes established, avoid trying to transplant it, since showy milkweed has a deep taproot. At planting time, select a spot for it in the landscape where you know you will want it to grow for several years.

Showy milkweed with small white flower clusters between large leaves

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Showy milkweed with star-shaped flower clusters closeup

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Macro closeup of showy milkweed blooms

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Light

Showy milkweed blooms best if given full sun.

Soil

The main soil requirement for showy milkweed is good drainage.

Water

Do not overwater the plant once it is established. Showy milkweed prefers soil that is somewhat on the dry side.

Fertilizer

There is no need to fertilize showy milkweed. Too much fertilizer may result in underperformance.

Varieties of Milkweed, Related Plants

Asclepias is only one of many genera that belong to the Apocynaceae family. Other members of the family include:

  • Dogbane (Apocynum cannabium)
  • Blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
  • Oleander (Nerium oleander)
  • Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla x amabilis)

Even within the Asclepias genus, there are many other species. They come in different heights and colors.

  • Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): 2 to 4 feet in height; pink-purple
  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa): 1 to 2 feet in height; light orange
  • Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnate): 4 to 5 feet in height; mauve, pink, or white
  • Sandhill milkweed (Asclepias humistrata): 1 to 3 feet in height; pink, lavender, or white
FAQ
  • Should I plant showy milkweed or common milkweed in the garden?

    Although showy milkweed resembles common milkweed, showy milkweed is the better choice for the home garden because it is significantly less aggressive than its invasive cousin.

  • When is the best time to cut back showy milkweed?

    You can cut back the plant in fall or spring. After the first frost in late fall, cut the dead stalks to the ground, or wait until early spring so that small animals and birds can use the fibers around the seeds and from the stalks to build their nests.

  • What other animals are attracted to showy milkweed?

    In addition to attracting Monarch butterflies and hummingbirds, Snowy Milkweed attracts bees, moths, and other birds and butterflies.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Showy Milkweed. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service