Tropical Milkweed
Latin name: Asclepias curassavica
Beautiful red and orange blooms attract butterflies and bees; host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Grows to 30-40” in height. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 90-100 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia - will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Latin name: Asclepias curassavica
Beautiful red and orange blooms attract butterflies and bees; host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Grows to 30-40” in height. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 90-100 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia - will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Latin name: Asclepias curassavica
Beautiful red and orange blooms attract butterflies and bees; host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Grows to 30-40” in height. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 90-100 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia - will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Germination: seed germinates in 2-3 weeks at 65-70 degrees. Eight weeks before last frost, sow seed in small pots, plastic cups or cell trays in well-moistened seed starter mix; cover seed with ¼ inch of soil and cover pot with plastic to keep soil moist. Cold stratify the planted seed in the refrigerator for one week before moving into a warmer area for germination. Transplant seedlings into 3-4” pots at 3-5 weeks to avoid root binding. Plant into garden or 12” deep container after hardening and after all danger of frost has passed.
Prefers full sun.
Grows to 30-40” inches in height; space plants 12+ inches; can be pinched back halfway at six inches of growth if you prefer a bushier plant.
Prefers well drained soil; tolerates poor soil.