Silky Gold Tropical Milkweed Seed Packet

"The Silky Gold cultivar of Tropical Milkweed boasts pure yellow flowers. The foliage is a light green and I’ve noticed monarchs seem to like to lay eggs on this species because the leaves are so tender. At least that is my guess! They are frost tender, so a tip to keeping them as long as you can is to plant them close to the house. The extra shelter may even help them survive the winter." — Bobby Gendron

The Facts:

• Latin name: Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold'
• Quantity of seeds per packet: 20
• Monarch butterfly host plant
• Attractive solid yellow flowers
• Bred for its distinct flower color
• Frost sensitive perennial
• 24" - 36" tall
• Blooms from May until first frost
• Cold hardy in USDA zones 10 - 11
• Summer annual in USDA zones 3 - 9

Growing Instructions: Start Tropical Milkweed seeds outdoors in the spring after the danger of nighttime freezing has past. 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. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate in 10 - 20 days. 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. To get a head start, seeds can be planted indoors in the late winter. Transplant outdoors after the danger of nighttime freezing has past.