The plant’s name is derived from the fact that it produces a milky-white, sticky sap when the leaf or stem is broken. This sap is full of cardiac glycosides, which make it toxic to many species of birds and mammals. Be careful not to get this sap in your eyes by the way, as it can be extremely painful!

The common milkweed blooming in my yard is attracting many bees and butterflies, but is covered in other critters as well - many different kinds of beetles, aphids, spiders, and even other species of caterpillar. Some of these are able to eat the milkweed and others are there to eat the things that eat the milkweed. Some gardeners panic when they see so many insects eating the plant they meant to reserve for monarchs, but recent research shows that monarchs are more likely to survive on milkweed shared with non-predatory insects than alone. More species mean more dining alternatives to predators that might otherwise resort to eating the monarch caterpillars and eggs.

Humans have a long history with milkweed plants, long before campaigns to plant it for monarch conservation. The flowers contain so much nectar that they were once used as a source of sweetener. Native Americans harvested it for fiber. During WWII, children were encouraged to collect seed pods for the floss which, five times more buoyant than cork, was used for flotation in life vests. Today the floss is still harvested for use in pillows and comforters. Milkweed contains latex that has been considered as a potential substitute for rubber. An oil made from the seeds has been used as sunscreen.

Milkweed was once a common folk remedy for treating cuts, poison ivy, and removing warts. Cardiac glycosides derived from milkweed and other natural sources can be used for the treatment of congestive heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia. In tribute to its medicinal value, this genus of milkweed takes the name Asclepias after the Greek god of healing, Asklepios. So much use for a “weed” - maybe it’s time to rename it!

Pollinator Profile:

Most people are familiar with the idea that monarch butterflies depend on milkweed. “Plant milkweed to save the monarchs!” Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, making them an obligate specialist on this larval host plant. By consuming the milkweed toxins that few others can eat, the caterpillars and consequently the adult butterflies are toxic to predators like birds. The adults are nectar generalists - not specialized to milkweed as a food source, and need a variety of nectar sources to eat throughout the year.

Check out the information below to see if this native might be a good fit for your yard!

Bloom Time: June - August

Height: 3'-5'

Cultivation: Native Virginia perennial. Full sun to part shade. Grows best in rich loamy soil with medium moisture. Best milkweed for colonizing disturbed sites. Propagate by cutting rhizomes into >1" sections and planting just under surface. Propagation by seed requires cold stratification.