Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca • Apocynaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Wildflower / Perennial
🌍 Origin Region
Native to Central and Eastern North America; well-adapted to meadows, prairies, and roadsides.
📅 Days to Maturity
1-2 years to reach first bloom; 60-90 days for seasonal foliage maturity. Long-lived perennial.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; hardy herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in winter.
About This Seed
The seeds are flat, oval-to-teardrop shaped with a brown, slightly textured surface and a thin margined edge. They are attached to white, silky filament hairs called coma (comose) which facilitate wind dispersal. The resulting plant grows 3-5 feet tall with broad, thick green leaves and spherical umbels of fragrant pinkish-purple flowers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Late Fall (direct sow) or Late Winter (indoor cold stratify) for Spring germination; very frost tolerant.
Germination
7-21 days; requires cold, moist stratification for 30-60 days at 33-38°F to break dormancy. Optimal soil temperature is 65-75°F after stratification. Light is not required for germination but can be beneficial.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Soil: Average, well-drained soil; very adaptable to various soil types including clay. pH: 6.0-7.5. Surface sow in fall to allow natural stratification.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (at least 6-8 hours); moderate water needs during establishment but highly drought-tolerant once mature.
Companion Plants
Asters, Goldenrod, Coneflowers (Echinacea), and Joe Pye Weed. Avoid planting in small, manicured garden beds as it can be aggressive via rhizomes.
Special Characteristics
Essential host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae; high nectar production for bees and butterflies; deer resistant due to bitter latex sap; pleasant fragrance.