(Asclepias speciosa ‘Showy’)

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Showy Milkweed is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in open woods, along roadsides and streams, and on dry slopes throughout the central and western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features thick upright stems, 8” velvety oval shaped greenish gray leaves, and aromatic star shaped light pink to pinkish purple flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is used to make cordage and fabric, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower! 
  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Other Uses
  • Companion Planting
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​Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Asclepias

Species: speciosa

Variety: Showy Milkweed

Also Known As: Greek Milkweed, Silkweed

Native to: Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Introduced into: Baltic States.

Ease of Growing: Easy

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): Summer

Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers. Monarch butterflies lay eggs on this plant and the resulting larvae (caterpillars) use the plant leaves as a food source.

Containers: Yes

Light: Full Sun

Soil Moisture: Medium

Height: 24-36”
 
Spacing: 18-24”
 
USDA Zone: 3a-9b

Produces: thick upright stems, 8” velvety oval shaped greenish gray leaves, and aromatic star shaped light pink to pinkish purple flowers.

Toxicity: Milkweed contains toxic alkaloids and cardenolides, which can cause nausea and vomiting in low doses, and death in high doses. Animals avoid milkweed if other forage is available. Consider wearing gloves when working with these plants because the milky sap is poisonous if ingested and can be toxic to human skin. Can be poisonous to livestock.
In late fall, direct sow just below the surface in full sun and well drained soil. This plant also tolerates dry, rocky soil or clay. Plant three seeds together every 18-24 inches. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.
Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought but grow best with regular watering. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread by rhizomes and forms colonies in the wild. It will also self seed if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies, including swallowtails, red admirals, an hairstreaks. Deer avoid this plant.
​​This makes a striking cut flower. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Keep in mind that the milky sap is mildly toxic and can irritate the skin.
After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4” narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
People have used milkweed plants for fiber, food, and medicine. The young shoots, stems, flower buds, flowers, and immature fruits of showy milkweed were eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable by indigenous groups of North America.  The sticky white sap was also made into a type of chewing gum by heating it until it became solid, and mixing it with salmon fat or deer grease.
The sap of showy milkweed was used by some desert tribes to heal sores and cuts, and to cure warts and ringworm. The ripe seeds were ground and made into a salve for sores. Seeds were boiled and the liquid used to draw the venom from rattlesnake bites. Tea made from the rhizomes was a remedy for measles or coughs. It was also used as a wash to cure rheumatism. The rhizomes, mashed with water, were used as a poultice to reduce swelling.
​Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The most common use for the plant among tribes of California was cordage. 

Stem fibers of milkweed are used by Native Americans to make course cloth, string, cords, and ropes. At Zuni, NM, the silky seed floss is spun into yarn and woven into a special fabric for dancers. Hybrids of A. speciosa and A. syriaca are being tested for commercial seed floss production as a hypo-allergenic substitute for goose down.
Tagetes (marigolds), Morning glory and Sunflower to attract aphid predators. 

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