Asclepias fascicularis, Narrowleaf Milkweed

Narrowleaf Milkweed is a flowering perennial best known for the Monarch butterflies it attracts. Its long, thin, pointed leaves give the plant a soft, wispy look. It blooms summer to fall, with clusters of flat topped pinkish-white flowers. The fruits are smooth pods, which split open to spill seeds, each one attached to a silky “parachute” that will carry the seed through the air to establish a new plant. Remove the seed pods before they open if you don’t want it in other places in your garden.

This plant grows fast to 3 feet tall and is dormant in winter. It should die back to the ground in winter so mark it with a stake so you don’t overplant it. Or cut it down to 6” high in the fall. It does best in full sun but is adaptable to most conditions, and easy to grow in soils with good drainage, even with no summer water. If it has irrigation, it will put out lots of runners. Plant it in a root barrier to prevent the roots from spreading.

This species is the single most important host plant for Monarch Butterflies in California, as milkweed is the only food the caterpillars eat when they hatch. The butterfly will not lay her eggs on any other plant except plants in the milkweed family. It is crucial to not use any pesticide on or around the plant—doing so will be fatal to the caterpillars. The plant also provides resources for many beneficial creatures, including native bees.

These are in D-16 tubes, which are 2′ x 6″. This enables the plant to set longer roots than in a 4″ pot. Plants are two years old.