MILKWEED COMMON Asclepias syriaca

 [WARNING: Toxic to humans and animals - toxic cardiac glycosides]

I was SO happy to find plenty of milkweed growing in the pastures when I bought this property. I had only had milkweed vine at my city house and small farm. While the vine drew in the monarchs, I rarely found caterpillars on it.

Since milkweed is toxic to my animals, especially goats and sheep, I'm attempting to eradicate it from the pastures and move it to my pollinator garden.

Milkweed is actually a very pretty flowering plant with nice big leaves and gorgeous clusters of pale purpley-pinky flowers.

Monocrops have destroyed much of the milkweed in the United States with herbicides, which has led to a dangerous decrease in the number of monarch butterflies. www.saveourmonarchs.org has wonderful information on habitat formation.

Growing

As the name says, it is a weed. As with most weeds, it will grow pretty much anywhere it can find even minimal conditions for growth. Milkweed prefers full sun and average to rich soil. It can handle drought but prefers average water conditions of an inch per week.

Milkweed roots can spread farther than you think, so other plants nearby may suffer, as milkweed will gobble up available nutrients. Give it space of at least two feet.

It can definitely be invasive. The fluff [floss] on the seeds can spread it far and wide quickly. And as a deeply rooted perennial, it can be difficult to eradicate. To keep it in check, remove seed pods before they open.

Propagation can be done via seed, cuttings or rhizome splits. Plants from cuttings may flower the first year, all will bloom in the second year. The seeds need 30 days of cold stratification and as little covering as possible. They will not push through mulch and other covers.

uses

During World War II, the regular material used to stuff life jackets was in short supply, so milkweed floss was used as a substitute. It is about six times more buoyant than cork. [Almanac.com]

The most common use for milkweed these days is as a pollinator food, especially the monarch butterfly that relies on it for nourishment for their caterpillars. More than 450 insect species feed on common milkweed.

Milkweed has been used as a medicinal plant in many cultures for many uses. It can be dangerous, and even lethal if ingested and the milky secretions may cause a skin reqction. It is advised to wear gloves when handling milkweed plants and to not use any part of the plant for medicinal use without extensive knowledge and experience in herbal remedies, and milkweed in particular.

Final Thoughts

Milkweed is one of the best plants you can grow for pollinators. Keeping this one in check is very easy with the large, easily removed, seed pods. While you want to plant it away from children and animals, it is a pretty back border plant for any garden, but especially a pollinator garden.

sPECS

Asclepias syriaca
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Pollinator attractant, especially monarch butterflies
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Germination: Can be started indoors 4-8 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date, direct seed spring after last frost or fall before frost
Seed Prep: Cold stratifications minimum 30 days
Seed Depth: Compress into soil and water well, keep moist until germination
Germination Time: 7-10 days
Growing Temp: 65-75°F
Height: 3-6 feet
Spread: 18-24 inches
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Sunlight: Full sun
Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant, don't over water as it can lead to a lethal fungus
Soil Quality: Average, well-drained
Soil Chemistry: 4-8-6.8
Fertilize: Not needed
Growth Rate: Agressive
Bloomtime: June-August
Attracts: Pollinators like butterflies, bees, humming birds
Critter Resistant: Repels most pests, deer
Critter Attractant: Monarch butterflies
Harvest: Roots and sap for medicinal purposes, DANGEROUS, use only with knowledge and care
Pruning: Deadhead regularly
Pests: Milkweed bugs, aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, spider mites, thrips, and leaf miners, usually do little harm
Diseases: Leaf spot, verticillium wilt, and root rot
Reseeds: Yes, aggressively
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, rhizome divisions
Garden Style: English cottage, pollinator, wildflower, border
Companions: Goldenrod, black-eyed Susans
Traditional Medicinal Uses: Yes
Allergy Potential: DANGEROUS TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.

 https://www.thespruce.com/milkweed-plants-monarch-butterfly-host-2132954#:~:text=Common%20milkweed%20does%20not%20need,result%20in%20a%20lethal%20fungus.

https://www.poison.org/articles/milkweed-can-cause-serious-poisoning-204

https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/milkweed.html

https://www.almanac.com/plant/milkweed