Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Laura's Lilies is active in Monarch butterfly conservation efforts. Along with being a certified Butterfly Garden, Monarch Garden, Monarch Waystation, Pollinator Habitat, Palmetto Habitat, and Wildlife Habitat, we are also a Milkweed Provider. We currently grow dozens of varieties of milkweed, all of which can be purchased by seed. We are a registered milkweed provider through the Xerces Society & the Monarch Joint Venture. Our milkweed grows naturally with no chemicals (pesticide or fertilizer), and is open pollinated.
Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)
Carolina Milkweed (Asclepias cinerea)*
Largeflower Milkweed (Asclepias connivens)*
Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)
Sandhill, Pinewoods Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata)
Swamp [Ice Ballet] Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp [Cinderella] Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp [Carmine] Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Fewflower Milkweed (Asclepias lanceolate)*
Longleaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia)*
Michaux's Milkweed (Asclepias Michauxii)*
Pinelands Milkweed (Asclepias obovata)
Savanna Milkweed (Asclepias pedicellata)*
Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
Four Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia)*
Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Tuba Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa)*
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly [Hello Yellow] Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
White Redring Milkweed (Asclepias variegata)
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
Short Green, Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora)
* We are still looking for original sources for these milkweed varieties to expand our impact and selection.
(In Addition to SC Native Listing)
Whitestem, Wax Milkweed (Asclepias albicans)
Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria)
Antelopehorn, Spider Milkweed (Asclepias asperula)
Bract Milkweed (Asclepias brachystephana)*
California milkweed (Asclepias californica)
Heartleaf Milkweed (Asclepias cordifolia)
Pallid, Jewel Milkweed (Asclepias cryptoceras)*
Curtis's Milkweed (Asclepias curtissii)*
Cutler's Milkweed (Asclepias cutleri)*
Eastwoods Milkweed (Asclepias eastwoodiana)*
Emory's Milkweed (Asclepias emoryi)*
Engelmann's Milkweed (Asclepias engelmanniana)
Indian, Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Narrowleaf, Mexican Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)
Florida Milkweed (Asclepias feayi)*
Nodding Milkweed (Asclepias glaucescens)*
Hall's Milkweed (Asclepias hallii)
Tall Green Milkweed (Asclepias hirtella)
Mahogany Milkweed (Asclepias hypoleuca)*
Dwarf Milkweed (Asclepias involucrata)*
Utah Milkweed (Asclepias labriformis)*
Sidecluster Milkweed (Asclepias lanuginosa)*
Broadleaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Lemmon's Milkweed (Asclepias lemmonii)*
Pineneedle, Pineleaf Milkweed (Asclepias linaria)
Slim Milkweed (Asclepias lineanis)*
Big Seed MIlkweed (Asclepias macrosperma)*
Longhood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis)*
Mead’s Milkweed (Asclepias meadii)*
Tufted Milkweed (Asclepias nummularia)*
Mojave Milkweed (Asclepias nyctaginifolia)*
Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides)
Ovalleaf Milkweed (Asclepias ovafolia)
Prostrate Milkweed (Asclepias prostrata)*
Plains Milkweed (Asclepias pumila)
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
Slimpod Milkweed (Asclepias quinquedentata)*
Rusby's Milkweed (Asclepias rusbyi)*
Ruth's Milkweed (Asclepias ruthiae)*
San Juan Milkweed (Asclepias sanjuanensis)*
Stalked, Bear Mountain Milkweed (Asclepias scaposa)*
Serpentine Milkweed (Asclepias solanoana)*
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Sperry's Milkweed (Asclepias sperryi)*
Slimleaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla)
Rush Milkweed (Asclepias subulata)
Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata)
Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii)
Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana)*
Wheel Milkweed (Asclepias uncialis)*
Parish's Woolly Milkweed (Asclepias vestita)*
Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)
Southern Milkweed (Asclepias viridula)*
Welsh's Milkweed (Asclepias welshii)*
* We are still looking for original sources for these milkweed varieties to expand our impact and selection.
Tropical [Sunset] Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Tropical [Silky Gold] Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Wild Cotton Milkweed (Asclepias cancellata)
Caribbean Milkweed (Asclepias nivea)
Giant Purple Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea)
Giant White Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea)
Balloon [Hairy Balls] Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus )
Swan Milkweed (Gomphocarpus fruticosus)
Blue Tweedia Milkweed (Oxypetalum caerulea)
Pink Tweedia Milkweed (Oxypetalum solanoides)
GENERAL
Milkweed is an upright perennial sun-loving plant. There are various types which grow to different heights, produce different colors, and have different leaf styles. It is the host plant of the now endangered Monarch butterfly. Milkweed likes well drained soil, but is not fussy about water and fertilization once established. Milkweed prefers full sun, but tolerates light shade.
FALL OUTDOOR PLANTING
*Recommended for All SC/US Native Milkweed*
Milkweeds seeds should be planted in the fall as the seeds need a cold period to break dormancy. Recommended spacing is 18 - 24 inches. Cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Begin watering in the spring, and water well until the seedlings are at least 6 inches tall. Slowly reduce watering as they grow. Continue to water during droughts. This method can be used for all US Native milkweed varieties.
INDOOR PLANTING
METHOD A - STRATIFICATION
*Recommended for All SC/US Native Milkweed*
Milkweed needs a cold period to break dormancy, and the process of simulating this indoors is called stratification. Place the seeds on a damp paper towel, or on a damp soil medium, and seal them inside a plastic bag for 30 days. (Note: Western Sand requires a 60 day stratification period.) After this period, plant them in well drained nursery pots with a light source at 1/4 in depth, and keep watered. Plant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost and when seedlings are at least a few inches inches tall. Ideally, the soil temperature should be 75F or warmer. Minimize the shock of the transfer by hardening off the plants, meaning slowly increase their time outside each day in the final week before planting.
METHOD B - SEED SOAKING
*Recommended for All Other Milkweed*
Warm weather native milkweed does not need the stratification process but benefits from a soaking period. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, then plant them in well drained nursery pots with a light source at 1/4 in depth, and keep watered. (Note: Swan requires a 7 day soaking period.) Plant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost and when seedlings are at least a few inches inches tall. Ideally, the soil temperature should be 75F or warmer. Minimize the shock of the transfer by hardening off the plants, meaning slowly increase their time outside each day in the final week before planting.
GERMINATION TIPS & TRICKS
Milkweed germination is a slow process. If you are having trouble with milkweed germination, here are a few additional tricks to try;
- Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before beginning the stratification process.
- After the stratification period (for cool milkweed) or the soaking period (for warm milkweed), clip the pointy end of the seed with nail clippers to improve germination rates and increase germination speed.
- Use a heat mat after the stratification or soaking process.
WARM WEATHER MILKWEED WARNING
Warm weather milkweed is an annual in most zones, but can perennialize in the southern zones of the United States. It remains the host plant of the now endangered Monarch butterfly, but is best when cut down each year if it does not die off naturally. These varieties are more prone to OE, a butterfly disease. Cutting them down each year helps manage the risk of spreading this disease.
POISONOUS PLANTS
Milkweed is technically poisonous, it is part of the plants natural defense system for survival, as well as the Monarchs. This is important information to know if you plan to grow the plant, although a fairly minor concern in most cases. Contact with the milky sap can cause irritated skin and eyes. Ingestion can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion, usually within a few hours.
DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES
As a milkweed grower, I do consider the risk low and handle milkweed on a regular basis with no concern.
However, be cautious in situations where milkweed can be accessed by;
- Crawling & walking babies, especially those that like to put things in their mouths
- Young children, especially ones that like to pick flowers
- Outdoor cats, dogs & pets which may get into the flowers
- Indoor pets that are curious and/or mischievous
TOXICITY RANKINGS
Milkweed species have varying levels of cardenolides, the chemical is thought to be the to cause of the toxicity. Below are a few varieties of milkweed with lower levels of cardenolides;
Common, Swamp, Butterfly & Showy
Narrowleaf, Heartleaf & California
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.