Common Milkweed/Butterfly Flower Seeds

Heirloom, Native

(5 reviews)

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Observe the monarch butterfly lifecycle right in your garden! This heirloom species provides food and habitat for monarch butterflies and is an essential host plant for their caterpillars. In summer, pink to purplish or white flowers are followed by decorative seedpods that are beautiful in dried arrangements. Robust, shrub-like perennial spreads by underground rhizomes. Native throughout much of the eastern and central United States. Sap is toxic; avoid eye/skin contact and do not ingest.

We cannot ship this variety to Hawaii as per state regulations. Please do not order if your shipping address is in these states.

Conventional Heirloom #1319 - 150 mg (~23 seeds)
$2.69
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Organic Heirloom #2063 - 150 mg (~23 seeds)
$3.49
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Botanical Name: Asclepias syriaca

Family: Apocynaceae

Native: Eastern 2/3 of the U.S. and Canada

Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3 and warmer

Plant Dimensions: 24"–36" tall

Variety Information: Individual flowers ½" long, borne in pink to purplish or white clusters.

Exposure: Full sun

Bloom Period: Summer

Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant

When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in the fall for spring germination.

When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.

Days to Emerge: 14–28 days

Seed Depth: ¼"

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"

Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 1 every 12"

Special Care: Benefits greatly from stratification (a cold, moist period) prior to germination.

Fall Sown Flowers
Stratification and Scarification
Milkweed: Sow and Grow Guide

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Common Milkweed/Butterfly Flower Seeds Reviews

5 reviews

Challenging

Aug 17, 2019

These were difficult to grow. Had to stratify and so far only 4 plants are growing. All still very small, under a foot high. Hope they come back next year!

Diana DeAngelis from DE

Owner Response: Hi Diana, We are sorry these were challenging for you. We have a Milkweed: Sow and Grow Guide that you may find helpful: https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Milkweed-Sow-and-Grow-Guide .

Had success with germination.

Dec 26, 2019

After putting seeds on a moistened paper towel in a baggie in fridge had good germination. I even had monarchs laying eggs on the leaves after transplanting the seedlings into the ground.

Leo Gat from MI

Prolific and Invasive

Jun 23, 2021

The Monarchs LOVE them! This common Milkweed is ideal for large empty areas, but NOT the home garden! We found them EXTREMELY INVASIVE, sending runners and shots throughout our nearby vegetable and flower beds. Takes several years of pulling shoots and digging up runners to eliminate from these areas.

Nancy from CT

Nada

Jan 1, 2022

None came up. Planted in fertile soil in established flower bed and none sprouted!

nicholas from NC

Owner Response: Hi Nicolas, It seems you had issues getting great germination with several varieties of seeds. It is important to stratify these seeds to get the best germination. You can find instructions linked in the learn more tab on this product page or in the seed packet. A customer service agent will be contacting you via email to help. Rest assured, our seeds are tested frequently to ensure germination rates meet both federal and our own standards.

Fantastic Germination!

Jan 24, 2023

I forgot to stratify my seeds before starting, but still had 95% of my seeds sprout! All are doing beautifully and I can't wait until they're ready to move outdoors.

Savannah from MD