Growing Zones
3-9
Light
Full Sun, Part Shade
Duration
Short Lived Perennial
Size
~2-3.5 ft
Asclepias incarnata, often referred to as swamp milkweed, is an important component of both garden landscapes and natural environments, acting as a beacon of biodiversity. This beautiful perennial, with its clusters of delicate pink to mauve flowers, not only catches the eye but also serves as an essential host and nectar plant for a variety of butterfly species. As a member of the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae), it serves as a lifeline for monarch butterflies by providing larval food for their larvae. Beyond its role as a butterfly host plant, swamp milkweed provides a rich source of nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, helping to improve the general health and resilience of local ecosystems.
Names:
Scientific Name: Asclepias incarnata
Plant Family: Apocynaceae
Other Names: Rose Milkweed, Pink Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, White Indian hemp
Native range:
According to the USDA, Asclepias incarnata is found in Eastern Canada and every state in the United States except Arizona, Mississippi, and states with a Pacific coastline.
Bloom Information:
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
Requirements
Water Needs: High
Soil Drainage: Moist, Wet
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Slight Acidic to Neutral
Considerations:
As the name implies, the swamp milkweed likes wet soil, keep that in mind when finding a place for it in your garden. Monarch caterpillars are veracious eaters, so plant more than you think you will need!
