Common Milkweed plant profile
Asclepias syriaca
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Common Milkweed
Grow in average, well-drained soil in full sun; it tolerates poor or dry soils but not shade. It propagates easily by seed sown in spring or by root cuttings and will naturalize, taking up considerable space.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Common Milkweed in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3 to 9Find my hardiness zone
Next steps
Continue with Common Milkweed
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Milkweed (Asclepias species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.