Swamp Milkweed
Soft mauve-pink clusters that monarch butterflies seek out for egg-laying. Thrives where it's consistently wet.
Dangerous to cats
Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap carries heart-affecting compounds, so a substantial ingestion is worth a vet call rather than a wait and see.
Handle with care
The milky sap irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves to cut it, and keep your hands away from your face until you have washed them.
Bloom Season
Jun - Aug
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Sun Requirements
○ Full Sun6+ hours direct
◐ Part Sun4-6 hours
Water Needs
High
Consistently moist
Size & Zones
3-4' tall
USDA Zones 3-7
Bloom Colors
Pink
Traits
♣ Native Species✿ Pollinator Friendly❖ Hummingbird Magnet✂ Cut Flower
Soil
ClayLoam
Where to buy
Find Swamp Milkweed plants on Amazon.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, What's Bloomin' earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.
Pairs Well With
Further Listening
Ep. 223: The Magnificence of Milkweeds
In Defense of Plants
A tour of the genus Asclepias, well past the handful of milkweeds most people plant.
Ep. 478: Milkweed Defense De-Escalation
In Defense of Plants
On why milkweeds vary so much in their chemical defenses, and what that means for the insects that eat them.
Ep. 374: A Milkweed on the Brink
In Defense of Plants
On the conservation of Mead's milkweed, a rare prairie relative rather than the one on this page.
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