Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed lives up to its name with broad blue-green leaves and fragrant, four-inch clusters of rose-pink stars. This western native stands upright at about 40 inches, giving meadow plantings and naturalistic borders a clear, sculptural presence.

The flowers offer nectar and pollen to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while the foliage is a host for monarch caterpillars. Once established, this durable perennial handles dry conditions and returns each year in Zones 3–9.

• Botanical name: Asclepias speciosa
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Sowing: Fall sow outdoors or cold-stratify for spring sowing
• Planting depth: 1/4 in.
• Germination: 10–20 days after stratification
• Mature height: About 40 in.
• Final spacing: 18–24 in.
• Approximate seed count: 45

Choose a permanent spot where the colony can support monarchs for years, and let some pods mature for their silvery autumn seed. Browse more native choices in our flower seed packets.