In the landscape
Naturalized · Butterfly · Native · Pollinator
Data sources
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca · Perennial
Common Milkweed is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 2–3 ft × 10–12 in. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-dry soil. Expect green, pink and purple blooms in summer. It attracts bees, butterflies and pollinators, stands up well to deer and drought and dry soil.
- USDA zones
- 3-9
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Mature size
- 2–3 ft × 10–12 in
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- Well-drained, Occasionally-dry
- Bloom color
- Green, Pink, Purple, White
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds
- Tough against
- Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Erosion, Poor soil
- Toxic to
- People
- Native to
- Eastern North America
Will it survive your winters?
We score Common Milkweed’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9
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