Indian Milkweed Seed Packet

"Indian Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) grows in Oak woodlands. My wife and I saw a bunch growing on our way to San Luis Obispo off highway 1 in Paso Robles, California. It does well in the California heat and other sizzling areas that hit triple digits in the summer. Flowers have an alluring vanilla essence making it nice to have near the front entrance of your home. Your guests will be enchanted as well as the butterflies!" — Bobby Gendron

The Facts:

• Latin name: Asclepias eriocarpa
• Quantity of seeds per packet: 50
• Monarch butterfly host plant
• Fragrant yellow and pink flowers
• Hardy perennial
• 36" - 48" tall
• Blooms from May until August
• Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 - 11

Growing Instructions: Start Indian Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring. The seeds will germinate 10 - 20 days after the danger of nighttime freezing has past. Once the seedlings reach 1", thin out so you have individual plants spaced 18” apart. Water regularly allowing the soil to go nearly dry between each watering. Fertilize monthly in the summer with a general purpose fertilizer. If you prefer to plant the seeds outdoors in the spring, read our detailed instructions on cold moist stratification.

Indian Milkweed Range Map:

Map ©: Kartesz, J.T. 2013. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP).

Indian Milkweed is native to the following state: California