Asclepias incarnata

Swamp milkweed

Sometimes known as Pink milkweed, Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is an erect, herbaceous perennial with striking blooms that makes an excellent addition to a moist, sunny landscape. It is excellent for attracting butterflies and other pollinating insects, and it the larval host monarch, queen and soldier butterfly caterpillars. It occurs naturally in floodplain swamps, hydric hammocks, wet pine flatwoods and marshes, and typically blooms in summer.

Swamp milkweed’s showy pink flowers are slightly fragrant. They are born in compact terminal or axillary umbels. Individual flowers have reflexed corollas and an upright corona — a characteristic typical of milkweed flowers. Leaves are long (up to 6 inches), elliptic to lanceolate, and glabrous. They are oppositely arranged. Stems are stout, glabrous and multi-branched. Seeds are flat and brown with silky white hairs attached. They are born in follicles that split open when ripe. Seeds are dispersed when their silky hairs catch the wind.

Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

Native range: Most peninsular counties, Wakulla County.

Hardiness: Zones 8A–10B

Soil: Wet to moderately dry soils

Exposure: Full sun to minimal shade

Growth habit: 3–6’+ tall, not as wide

Propagation: Seed, Cuttings

Garden tips: Swamp milkweed is one of our most striking native milkweeds. It does best in mixed butterfly and wildflower gardens planted in moist sunny landscapes, but can tolerate occasional drought once established. The plant does well in a container.

Pot Size: 6" (trade gallon) pot (about 3 qt)