Spider Milkweed for Spring Monarchs
Asclepias viridis: Spider milkweed, Green antelopehorn, Green Milkweed
Plant Specs:
- Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 4b-9 (lows to -31.7 °C or -25 °F)
- Native to the South Central US
- Full sun
- Height: 2 to 3 feet
- Spacing: 1 to 2 ft
- Flowers: white, yellowish green with purple hood accents
- Blooms spring to early summer
Plant Propagation:
- Sow seeds directly outside in fall- November is a good option for most regions
- Start seeds indoors 2 months before final frost- seeds must be cold stratified
- Sow seeds directly after final frost
- Winter sowing is a good option if you want to control plant placement
Pros:
- Good choice for early generations of monarchs
- Many butterflies use as an early nectar source
- Easy to start from milkweed seeds with proper cold stratification
- Low growing milkweed can add variety to the butterfly garden
Cons:
- Seeding can be a problem unless you take actions below
- Prone to aphid pests like most milkweed
- Does not transplant well because of long taproot
- Can spread through underground rhizomes
Spider Growing Tips:
- Easiest to sow outside directly in fall (winter sowing worked well in our northern climate)
- Segregate from plants that could be overtaken by an underground rhizome attack. This is not invasive like common milkweed, but still something to consider when planning your garden
- Cut I- If you don’t want additional seedlings next spring, simply cut off some/all of the seed pods before they pop open or bind them shut with twist ties or rubber bands if you want to collect viridis milkweed seeds
Pollinator Plus:
Spider milkweed also attracts bumblebees, eastern tiger swallowtails, hairstreaks, honeybees, soldiers, queens, and more… (If you know of others, please comment below to help others in the community make important milkweed decisions.)
Resources:
1.
2. Find Spider Milkweed on Amazon
25+ Milkweed Plants and Seeds for your Butterfly Garden
Please post below if you have any questions or comments about growing Asclepias viridis in your garden:
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Hi Tony,
When I was in Texas in March, I bought a tropical milkweed that was mislabeled as butterflyweed, and left if there for my brother to plant. My mom says the monarchs have stripped it bare, and it has 14 chrysalis on it now. (can you imagine 14 caterpillars on one plant?)
Anyway, would A. Viridis be the native variety in to look for East Texas? I don’t recall seeing any milkweed when I lived there, but I wasn’t really looking for it. They live far enough north of Houston that the soil is still sandy and acid. (it turns to black clay near Houston)
Hi Bob, I would talk to gardeners in your region to see what species grows best for them. I would suggest seeking out the species you were looking for in the first place:
Asclepias Tuberosa
and then check out these Texas Native Milkweed Options
Thanks. I was actually looking for swamp milkweeds when I saw the tropicals and recognized them. 🙂
After doing a little research, spider, Texas, fewflower, and swamp milkweed will probably all do okay there and be perennial. I was concerned most of the varieties that will grow in that climate would need caliche (limestone) or clay soil.
I successfully transplanted some of these plants because of county spraying and farmers cutting. My question is, can I root more plants from cuttings? They are getting pretty tall, and would like to cut back and plant some more. Is this possible? I know the tropical variety does well from cuttings. Thank you!
Hi Deborah, I’ve never tried rooting this species before and can’t recall ever talking to anyone about this. Hopefully someone else will chime in…
Excellent work, as always Tony!
“Segregate from plants that could be overtaken by an underground rhizome attack.”
I have several first-year Spiders started and was intending to put Purple Milkweed starts in the same bed next year. Does any of your experience or knowledge lead to a conclusion that this is a faulty plan? I have a separate spot in mind for a colony of Common’s, but was hoping that the Spiders and Purples could get along well enough to have them in my most conspicuous, and easiest to access, viewing spot.
I’d also like to get ahold of some Swamp seeds to start sometime down the road; would these guys get along with the Spiders and Purples?
As always, thanks for the good work that you do! Best…Mitch
Hi Mitch, incarnata doesn’t spread by underground rhizomes like the others do. In my northern experience, purple and spider don’t grow too vigorously, but you would have to test in your region…good luck!