Aquatic Milkweed is one of the few shade-tolerant milkweeds. This is an excellent choice for use as a Monarch host as it will remain evergreen in mild winters in zone 8B and warmer and is a good substitute for Tropical Milkweed for those looking for a reliable native perennial milkweed with a smaller compact habit. Asclepias perennis is native to much of the eastern central US. Provide a 4-6 hours of sun in average moist to semi-moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. This is one of the few native milkweed seeds that do not need to be cold-stratified. Does well planted in containers.

Start Aquatic Milkweed seeds outdoors in the spring after the danger of nighttime freezing has past. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 12” apart. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate in 10 - 20 days. 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.

Hardy perennial
18" - 24" tall
Blooms from May until October
Cold hardy in USDA zones 6 - 11