Description
Botanical Name: Asclepias incarnata
Common Name: Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Rose Milkflower, Swamp Silkweed, White Indian Hemp, Pink Milkweed
Description: All of the milkweed species I sell are Florida ecotype plants that my suppliers grow in the North Central region of Florida. I use no pesticides on my milkweeds, neither do my suppliers.
Swamp milkweed is one of the 21 species of beautiful milkweeds that are native to Florida. It puts out a generous amount of pink to purple vanilla scented flowers in late Spring to Summer. Asclepias incarnata is an important food source for the Monarchs as they start their spring migration northward. Even though it is called Swamp Milkweed, it can adapt to almost any Florida soil type except for areas that are very dry for extended periods of time. It is very heat tolerant and mildly drought tolerant when established, however it needs regular watering throughout its early days. Its natural habitat is areas that stay moist: Open seepage areas, marshes, marshy areas along streams. Individual plants quickly grows 2-4′ tall x 1-2′ wide, but it does grow into clumps. Will grow just fine in clay, loam, or sandy soils. Likes neutral to slightly acidic soils. Likes the sun, part sun, or part shade areas of your garden. The plant does well in a container. This is another great plant for your rain garden. The very cool looking seed pods split open to release seeds that float on the wind. Deer resistant.
Larval host to the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), and soldier butterfly, (Danaus eresimus). Is a nectar/pollen plant for many pollinators including butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and especially native bees. Yes, the butterfly caterpillars will eat the leaves. The plant knows that this will happen, and they keep sending out new growth right away. You might lose a plant every so often, but usually they return just fine. Please do not use any chemicals on the milkweed plants in your garden.
All milkweeds contain a toxic latex sap that may irritate skin.
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray.
This plant in 1-gallon containers is 1-2′ tall.
Plant Lore: The genus Asclepias is named for Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, because some Asclepias species, such as A. tuberosa, are known to have medicinal properties.
Florida Hardiness Zones 8b – 11
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