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Asclepias incarnata, commonly called swamp milkweed, is an erect, clump-forming, native plant which is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands and wet meadows. Good for sunny borders, stream/pond banks, butterfly gardens. Works well in low spots or other moist areas in the landscape.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons | Derek Ramsey

Larval Host for the

Monarch Butterfly

4-5'

3-4'

SIZE

SOIL

Moist, Medium, Wet

LIGHT

Full Sun

BENEFITS

Butterflies, Monarch Butterfly

NOTES

Easily grown in medium to wet soils in full sun. Surprisingly tolerant of average well-drained soils in cultivation even though the species is native to swamps and wet meadows. Plants have deep taproots and are best left undisturbed once established. Foliage is slow to emerge in spring. Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.

CHARACTERISTICS

Easy to Grow, Showy, Fragrant, Tolerates Flooding, Deer tolerant

July, August

Flower

This 

flowers in

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Asclepias incarnata, commonly called swamp milkweed, is an erect, clump-forming, native plant which is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands and wet meadows. Good for sunny borders, stream/pond banks, butterfly gardens. Works well in low spots or other moist areas in the landscape.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons | Derek Ramsey
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