Asclepias incarnata

Save the Monarch Butterflies!

Asclepias incarnata aka Rose or Swamp Milkweed are perennial plants prized for their wonderfully fragrant, beautiful, long-blooming light pink to light purple flowers. These sun-loving, easy to grow plants can handle a range of conditions (especially in moist soils), and can even thrive in mucky clay soils. Critically, they are one of a handful of plants that Monarch Butterflies MUST have in order to feed their young. Their flowers also contain ample nectar that attracts many insects.

🦋Monarch Butterflies have a very special relationship with the Asclepias genus. Critically, plants in this genus are the ONLY plants they can lay their eggs on to feed their young. Sadly, monarch population numbers have been crashing and they are on the verge of being on the endangered species list. The great news is that gardeners can be a HUGE part of the solution by planting our WNC native Asclepias incarnata! The more that can be planted, the better. Asclepias incarnata flowers also contain ample nectar that attracts many insects.

In the wild, these plants are found on the edges of moist or wet areas, such as streams and ponds, but also in dry meadows. Fall can bring a purple tint to the foliage, and the development of their interesting 2-4" seedpods, which are filled with seeds attached to silky, fluffy white fibers.

Asclepias incarnata plants are ideal for butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, native gardens, pollinator gardens, pond gardens, rain gardens, wildlife gardens, and more. The blooms have a vanilla fragrance.

❤️RCN Staff Favorite - we grow these plants in our own gardens and recommend them!

🏆Award winning! 2005 NC Wildflower of the Year, one of internationally known garden designer Piet Oudolf’s 100 “MUST HAVE” plants.

🦋Butterfly and Moth Host and Nectar plant. Rose Milkweed plants are the host plants for Monarch, Queen, Soldier, and Gray Hairstreak Butterflies here in NC, and for 20+ species of NC moths.

🐝Helpful to Bees. According to the Xerxes Society, these plants are of special assistance to our native bees. Additionally, Rose Milkweed plants help to attract beneficial insects.

🐦Bird Magnet! The Audubon Society says that these plants can help Cardinals, Chickadees, Jays, Finches, Hummingbirds, Nuthatches, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Vireos, Waxwings, Warblers, Wrens, and more! Birds have been known to use the fluff from the interesting seed pods and fibers from the stems to build nests.

🦌Deer usually aren't interested in these plants. They are also rabbit resistant.

We have a hard time keeping these lovely and important plants in stock!

Moist to wet soils, although can handle drier conditions once established.

Full sun.

4-5'T x 2-3'W.

Zone 3a-9b, cold hardy down to -40F.

💚Plant Nerd: Asclepias incarnata plants have specialized roots to handle the low-oxygen environment found in heavy, wet soils. They do create deep taproots and are best left in place once planted.

The fluffy white fibers in the seedpods have been used for a variety of purposes, from filling pillows and lifevests to experimental biodegradable surgical gowns. The Chippewa reportedly used these plants to make twine. Many tribes also used these plants for medicinal purposes, although these plants are no longer recommended for such uses. 

Scientists in 2003 counted 70 different species of insects utilizing Asclepias incarnata! Wow!