Also known as Milkweed · 4.3k gardener saves
Asclepias: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Asclepias, the genus most gardeners know as milkweed. We track 14 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Asclepias varieties
Of 14 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedButterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
#2 most savedButterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies Mix'
#3 most savedButterfly Weed Gay Butterflies Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies'
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa 'Deluxe Butterfly Garden'
Hello Yellow Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias x hybrida
Cinderella Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata 'Cinderella'
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Swamp Milkweed Ice Ballet
Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'
narrowleaf milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
Browse all 14 Asclepias varieties →
How to grow Asclepias
What the Asclepias varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Asclepias year
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March93% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems to the ground before new growth emerges
- Check for PestsMay–August79% of varieties
Monitor for bright yellow Oleander Aphids; spray with water if necessary
- PlantMarch, April, September and October71% of varieties
Plant small starts or bare roots; difficult to transplant once established
- HarvestAugust–October43% of varieties
Harvest seed pods when dry and splitting for propagation
- DeadheadJune–August36% of varieties
Remove spent flowers early in the season to encourage more blooms
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged stems in late winter
- Water consistently during dry spells 💧
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged stems to encourage healthy growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Asclepias
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Milkweed Bugs | White or yellowish bugs on leaves and stems | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Milkweed bugs | Damage to leaves and seed pods | Handpick bugs or use insecticidal soap |
| Milkweed Bug | Stunted growth, yellowing leaves | Handpick bugs or use neem oil spray |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves, mushy roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use sulfur-based fungicide or organic neem oil |
Making more Asclepias
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks until germination.
- Transplant seedlings when they are 4 inches tall, after last frost.
Division
- Divide mature clumps in early spring or fall
- Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil
Asclepias questions
How many types of Asclepias are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Asclepias varieties. The most popular — ranked by 4.3k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Asclepias grow in?
Across its varieties, Asclepias covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Asclepias bloom?
Most Asclepias varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Asclepias should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Asclepias in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
