Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Apocynaceae
Native
Eastern U.S., Canada, and Northern Mexico
Life Cycle
Perennial
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Flower Color
Orange
Bloom Season
Summer
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
- Attracts Butterflies
- Attracts Pollinators
Growing Conditions
Drought Tolerant
Plant Resistance
Deer Resistant
About Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Individual flowers ½", borne in brilliant red-orange clusters.
Planting Milkweed
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 12"–24"
Hardiness Zones
10, 11, 12, 13, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth
¼"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 12"–24" |
| Thinning | When 3" tall, thin to 1 every 12"–24" |
| Germination | 14–28 days |
| Start Indoors | 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. |
| Direct Sow | 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in the fall for spring germination. |
| Growing & Harvesting | For longest vase life, harvest flowers in the morning, choosing blooms that are 1/2-2/3 open. Place in water, allowing the latex within the stems to dissipate in the water, then change the water. Wear gloves; milkweed sap can cause skin and eye irritation and can be toxic if ingested. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 8 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
10 reviews
- BrittanyVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/19/26Native to most of the US
This species of Milkweed is native to pretty much everywhere in the continental US except the pacific NW (Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota). Sources are inconsistent on whether this plant is native to California or not. Happy to have this as part of my native garden bed here in New Mexico.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests2/20/26Hey Brittany,
We love hearing from someone who really knows their native plants! It's so exciting that you're creating a native garden bed in New Mexico - what a fantastic way to support local wildlife and create a thriving ecosystem right in your own backyard! You're absolutely right about the range of this milkweed species, and we're thrilled it's going to be such a perfect fit for your region. The butterflies are going to absolutely love what you're creating for them! Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your knowledge and passion for native gardening with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- linda g.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/7/25overwintering seeding
happy to find someone who had exactly what I wanted and that I know their seed will grow
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests12/7/25Hey Linda,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with our Milkweed/Butterfly Flower Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that we had exactly what you were looking for - there's nothing better than finding the perfect match for your gardening plans! Your confidence in our seed quality means the world to us, and we're so excited that you're planning some overwintering seeding with these beauties. Milkweed is such an incredible choice for supporting our butterfly friends, and we just know your garden is going to be buzzing with life come spring! Thanks for trusting us with your growing journey. Keep on growing 🌻️
- OwenCA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars6/2/25Monarchs like it
Usually have 1-2 monarch visit daily
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Container - YvonneVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/19/255 Stars
If you want to help monarch butterflies, this variety is the best.
- Jovanne S.Rated 1 out of 5 stars4/6/251 Star
My issue is that there is not enough details about native origins of milkweed provided by BI. For those who are trying to raise or help the native Monarchs it would be helpful if the site went into greater detail on native species. The tropical verity is harming the wildlife. Show that you care and help those who want to better their gardens. I regret purchasing these seeds.
depending on your location it’s always best to check for native milkweed of your state here in California it’s the narrowleaf Asclepias fascicularis.
Feeding monarchs on tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) can be detrimental to their health and migration, as it encourages breeding outside their natural migratory cycle and can harbor a parasite that can harm them.