Tropical milkweed , also called bloodflower , has showy red and orange flowers that attract pollinator .
Like other member of the milkweed genus , tropical silkweed attracts butterfly , bee , and other beneficial insects , as well as hummingbirds . In midsummer — in southern mood already begin in the spring — it report itself with gorgeous flowers in oranges , Red River , and yellows on tall root word .
As pretty as it is , tropic silkweed has a few downsides to consider before implant . Though it is a host and nectar plant for monarch butterflies , this non - aboriginal milkweed can be problematic in domain where it blooms late into the fall because it can cause milkweed butterfly to forego their rude migration ( see more under Pruning below ) . This plant can also become scrawny , reseeding itself prolifically . Here ’s what to know if you want to grow tropical milkweed .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Where to Plant Tropical Milkweed
Full sun is the most important touchstone when take a location for tropical milkweed . grease quality is secondary , as tropical milkweed can farm in any type of soil that is slenderly acidic , neutral , or alkaline .
Milkweed is toxic to humankind and petsif ingested so plant it out of reach .
How and When to Plant Tropical Milkweed
embed it in spring after all peril of rime has pass . Tropical Sonchus oleraceus has a taproot and the untested the plant , the well it will tolerate transplant . apprehend a hollow about twice the diam of the nursery toilet and about the same depth . Place the plant in the hole and fill in original land to the top of the root nut . Gently tamp down the soil and pee it well . Keep it water for at least one week , or until the plant life has visibly raise . Space plants 2 to 3 pes apart .
Tropical Milkweed Care Tips
Light
tropic milkweed needs full sun for at least 6 60 minutes every sidereal day .
Soil and Water
The plant is not finicky about the grunge in which it ’s grown — it can grow in teetotal as well as in moist or moderately besotted soil and over a broad pH kitchen range ( 6.0 to 8.0 ) .
Once it is set up , it can tolerate dry conditions but does better with ordered wet .
Temperature and Humidity
As the name says , it is a tropic flora that wo n’t survive frost . It does not have any specific humidity needs or dislikes .
Fertilizer
tropic silkweed does not need fertilizer . It can even grow in nutritious - poor soils .
Pruning
Pinching the young plants to encourage branching with more flower clusters is optional . What is not optional , however , is cutting down the works to the earth in the fall if they do n’t die on their own from the frost . Because if the industrial plant remains alive , monarch butterfly will continue to run on it or else of transmigrate south , a disruption of the natural cycle per second that is black for this endangered butterfly metal money .
Potting and Repotting Tropical Milkweed
Tropical milkweed adapts well to container - growing , as long as you plant it in a marvellous 1 - gallon container to fit its taproot . Choose a container with big drainage holes and replete it with well - draining potting mixing . Keep in judgment that container industrial plant require more frequent lacrimation and fertilisation than plant in the landscape painting .
Repotting of annual tropical silkweed wo n’t be necessary .
Even if your wintertime are meek and the industrial plant remains green , do n’t leave it outdoors . Either cut off it back to the floor or add it inside for the winter where crowned head butterfly stroke can not fee on it .
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Pests and Problems
Serious pesterer infestations of tropical Sonchus oleraceus are rare , but you might find aphids on the plant , which can have sooty mold fungus from the aphid secernment . In the mid to former summertime , you might also bump orange and black milkweed microbe on the plants .
Tropical milkweed is deer - tolerant .
How to Propagate Tropical Milkweed
Tropical milkweed is better propagated from seed . Because it can take tropic milkweed about four months to start flower , get the seed indoors 8 to 10 week before the last frost escort in your arena . Soaking the hard seeds in urine for 24 hours before planting better germination . establish the come about 1/4 inch deep in potting admixture and keep them evenly moist . Germination takes spot in 2 to 3 weeks . Unless you depart them in a glasshouse with pile of natural light , you will necessitate grow illumination to prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy . Harden the young plants off before transplanting them outdoors after the last spring frost .
Types of Tropical Milkweed
Silky Gold Tropical Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica’Silky Gold ' has big clusters of halcyon xanthous blossom and icteric - green foliation . It reach 3 to 4 foot in height and 2 to 3 feet in width .
Silky Deep Red Tropical Milkweed
The deep red efflorescence ofAsclepias curassavica‘Silky Deep Red ’ have gratuity that are bright scandalmongering . It grow 3 to 4 groundwork tall and 2 to 3 feet wide .
Red Butterflies Tropical Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica’Red Butterflies ' has clusters of scarlet - red and yellow flower . It is slightly smaller than the other cultivar , growing 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide .
Companion Plants for Tropical Milkweed
Milkweed
Combine tropical milkweed with perennialmilkweedsthat are native to your area , such ascommon milkweedwith bass pinkish flower or butterfly weed with fiery Orange River bloom . Zones 3 - 9
Aster
sluttish - to - growasterscome in a variety of chassis and sizes to suit garden of all dimensions , conformation , and styles . As a companion plant for tropical silkweed , pick shorter , or stocky asters so they do n’t predominate over the silkweed . Zone 3 - 9
Blazing Star
Blazing starflowers are a preferred nectar source for butterflies like monarchs and many other pollinator . After the flower , the seeds make a nutritious snack for finch and other small birds . Zone 3 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Tropical milkweed prolifically reseed itself if the cum pod stay on the industrial plant — to the point that it has become trespassing in some areas of the southeasterly United States . In sight of the detrimental effects that perennial tropical milkweed can have on monarch butterfly butterfly and the potency of the works developing into monocultures , it is much better to plant milkweed varieties that are native to your area .
you could overwinter potted silkweed by bringing it indoors for the wintertime . In fact , even if your climate is meek enough for the industrial plant to hold up the winter , moving it out of the reach of monarch butterfly is the right thing to do . care for it like a houseplant that need bright light .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Milkweed Plant Can Cause Serious Poisoning . National Capital Poison Center .
Milkweed . ASPCA .
" Asclepias curassavica . “University of Florida Extension .
The best-known New England asters have flowers with purplish rays and yellowish centers.Credit: Kevin Dutton
Credit: Marty Baldwin
