Asclepias verticillata
Asclepias verticillata photo Missouri Botanical Garden
Whorled Milkweed

Whorled milkweed is a single-stemmed, unbranched native perennial, growing 30-90 cms tall. The narrow, linear leaves are whorled along the stem. Fragrant, small, greenish-white flowers occur in flat-topped clusters on the upper part of the stem. 

Monarch butterflies need milkweed plants (Asclepias genus) in order to survive. They lay their eggs on milkweed plants.  Caterpillars hatch from the eggs and consume the plant foliage as food  and the flower nectar is consumed as a valuable source of food by adult monarchs. Recent declines in monarch butterfly populations in North America are believed to be related to a corresponding significant decline in milkweed plants 

  • Height: 30-90 cm (1-3 ft)
  • Spread: 30-90 cm (1-3 ft)
  • Cold Hardiness: Zone 4-9
  • Sun or Shade: minimum 4 hours of direct sun
  • Bloom Time: early to late summer
  • Leaf Colour: green
  • Bloom Colour: white
  • Critter Resistance: deer and rabbit resistant
  • Nature Attraction: butterflies

Growing and Maintenance Tips

This native milkweed is easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates part shade. The best growth will be in a sunny locations with sandy loams.  Plants will spread by rhizomes but are not considered invasive.

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