25 Tropical Milkweed Seeds - Red-Orange Flowers, Monarch Host Plant

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a vibrant, fast-growing perennial often grown as an annual in cooler climates. It produces clusters of striking red-orange and yellow flowers that bloom from summer through fall, attracting monarch butterflies and other pollinators. This milkweed is a well-known host plant for monarch caterpillars, making it a valuable addition to butterfly gardens and pollinator-friendly landscapes.

With its bright, long-lasting blooms and easy-going nature, tropical milkweed is an excellent choice for borders, containers, and meadow plantings. It thrives in full sun and tolerates a range of soil conditions, though it performs best in well-drained, moderately moist soil.

Plant Features

• Vibrant red-orange and yellow flower clusters
• Attracts monarch butterflies and other pollinators
• Host plant for monarch caterpillars
• Long bloom season from summer to fall
• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Asclepias curassavica
• Plant Type: Perennial (often grown as annual)
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, moderately moist
• Water Requirements: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (grown as annual elsewhere)
• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Mature Height: 2-4 feet
• Spacing: 18-24 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow tropical milkweed seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Press seeds into the soil surface and lightly cover with 1/8 inch of soil, as light aids germination. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically occurs in 10-20 days at temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C). Once seedlings have developed a few true leaves, transplant them to their final location after hardening off.

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first growing season to help plants establish, then reduce watering as they become more drought-tolerant. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage continued blooming. In cooler zones, tropical milkweed is often grown as an annual, but it may self-seed in favorable conditions.

What's Included

25 Tropical Milkweed seeds.