poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)
Milkweed is the essential host plant for monarch caterpillars and a nectar source for many pollinators. All of our milkweeds are hardy perennials that return year after year once established.
plant profile
Poke Milkweed is an elegant woodland species with tall, slender stems and drooping clusters of white to greenish flowers. Unlike most milkweeds, it thrives in part shade and is well-suited for woodland gardens or lightly shaded borders.
Growing conditions
- Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
- Light: part shade to dappled sun
- Soil: medium moisture, well-drained
- Water: prefers regular moisture, especially in dry spells
- Bloom time: early to mid-summer, starting the second year
- Lifecycle: perennial
planting instructions
- Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are mild
- Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and set the crown level with the soil surface
- Space plants about 24 inches apart
- Water thoroughly and maintain even moisture
seasonal growth pattern
- Year 1: Establishes roots in partial shade; no blooms.
- Year 2: Begins flowering and may reach near-mature height.
- Year 3 and beyond: Tall, graceful stems with dependable early-summer blooms.
- Fall & Winter: Seed pods form; leave stems for insect shelter.
care
Best planted in the ground at woodland edges or shaded borders. Provide rich, well drained soil with steady moisture. Avoid hot, exposed sites. It may lean or flop slightly if grown in too much shade, so light dappled sun is ideal.
notes
- Does not bloom the first year while roots develop
- One of the few milkweeds suited for shaded habitats
- Graceful flowers are highly attractive to pollinators