Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
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
Swamp Milkweed is a tall and graceful perennial with clusters of pink blooms that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Known for its fragrant flowers, it thrives in moist soils and is excellent for rain gardens and pond edges.
Growing conditions
- Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
- Light: full sun to part sun
- Soil: moist to wet, adapts to average soil if watered regularly
- Water: prefers consistent moisture, does not like to dry out completely
- Bloom time: mid to late 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 24–30 inches apart
- Water thoroughly and keep soil evenly moist during establishment
seasonal growth pattern
- Year 1: Strong root development; no blooms.
- Year 2: Begins flowering and supports increasing pollinator activity.
- Year 3 and beyond: Tall, full plants with extended bloom period.
- Fall & Winter: Seed pods form; leave stems for insect habitat.
care
Swamp Milkweed adapts to very large containers at least 24 inches deep and wide, but is happiest in the ground. Use a soil mix that retains moisture and water frequently if grown in pots. When container-grown, it can bring beauty and pollinators to patios, porches, or decks if placed in a sunny spot. It performs best in rain gardens, low spots, or near ponds where soil stays moist.
notes
- Does not bloom the first year while roots develop
- Fragrant blooms are highly attractive to pollinators
- Excellent for naturalized plantings in wet areas