Order Now · Ships Spring 2026
Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed)
Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed)
Essential monarch host plant • Rosy summer flowers
📦 Shipping is charged at real carrier rates.We don’t mark up shipping—costs reflect distance from our nursery and careful plant packing.
🌱 6-plant minimum per order — mix & match any varieties
📦 Ships in a 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot — well-rooted & ready to plant
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Common milkweed is more than just a garden plant—it’s a lifeline for monarch butterflies. It is the only food monarch caterpillars can eat, and the flowers provide rich nectar for many kinds of butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects.
The plants grow tall and upright, with broad green leaves and rounded clusters of rosy-pink flowers in summer. It has a bold, wild beauty that works well in natural gardens, meadows, and pollinator plantings.
It does spread by underground rhizomes, which can be a gift or a challenge depending on your space. In open areas or naturalized gardens, that spreading habit helps it fill in and create a true monarch habitat.
WHY GARDENERS LOVE IT
- Essential host plant for monarch caterpillars
- Excellent nectar source for butterflies and bees
- Rosy-pink summer flowers
- Strong, upright growth
- Easy to grow
- Native to much of the eastern U.S.
HOW IT GROWS
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Soil: Average to dry, well-drained soil
- Water: Moderate first year, low after
- Hardiness: Zones 6–9
- Growth habit: Upright, spreading by rhizomes
SIZE & BLOOM
- Height × Width: ~3–5 ft. × 3 ft.
- Flower color: Rosy-pink
- Bloom time: Summer
- Wildlife: Monarchs, butterflies, bees
PLANTING TIPS
- Plant in full sun
- Give space to spread
- Avoid planting in tight beds
- Water well the first season
CARE MADE EASY
- Let seed pods form for wildlife
- Cut back in late fall or spring
- Thin if it spreads too much
- Avoid pesticides—especially near caterpillars
BEST USES
- Monarch gardens
- Pollinator plantings
- Meadows and natural areas
- Wildlife gardens
- Large garden spaces
HOW TO KNOW IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Choose Common Milkweed if you:
- Want to support monarchs
- Have space for spreading plants
- Love wildlife gardens
- Garden in full sun
POT SIZE: 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot
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What to Expect With Your Plants
What size plants will I receive?
Most plants ship in 2 3/8” x 3 3/4” band pots—ideal for healthy root growth.
Top growth varies by variety and season, but every plant arrives well-rooted, actively growing, and ready to plant.
Grown naturally without artificial heat or lights, our plants are hardy, adaptable, and ready to thrive in real garden conditions.
When will my plants ship?
We schedule plant orders based on your area’s average last frost date and when each plant is truly ready to ship. You’ll receive an email with your estimated ship date once your order is scheduled.
Orders ship Monday–Wednesday via UPS or USPS (2–3 day service), so your plants arrive before the weekend and spend less time in transit. Shipping begins in spring—usually mid-April—when weather and plant health align, so your plants arrive strong, well-rooted, and ready to thrive.
Do you guarantee your plants?
We stand behind our plants and our packing process. While we can't control weather or how plants are cared for after arrival, we do guarantee that your plants will arrive healthy and in good condition. If there's an issue, just reach out and we're happy to help.
Are your plants inspected for plant health and disease?
Yes. Our nursery is inspected at least twice each year by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and meets state plant health and disease standards.
Why does shipping cost what it does for live plants?
Shipping live plants requires careful packaging, seasonal timing, and fast transit to ensure they arrive healthy.
Our shipping rates are calculated in real time based on box size, weight, and destination, and we always select the best available option for safe, timely delivery.
We never inflate shipping costs — you pay what it costs us to ship your order safely.
Have more questions?
We want you to feel good about your plant order. Find answers about shipping, sizing, care, and guarantees in our full FAQ.