Asclepias, Tropical Milkweed, Bloodflower, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed 'Silky Scarlet'

Asclepiascurassavica

Family
Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee)
Genus
Asclepias (ass-KLE-pee-us)
Species
curassavica (ku-ra-SAV-ik-uh)
Synonym
Asclepias cubensis
Asclepias margaritacea
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Arroyo Grande, California

Ridgemark, California

Port Charlotte, Florida

Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Florence, Mississippi

Purvis, Mississippi

Belton, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Los Fresnos, Texas

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
D
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b) | May 2014 | positive

I've had these growing in my garden for years. They usually only last three years, but I get a couple volunteers each year so they are s...Read More

M
M
NW Qtr, AR (Zone 6a) | September 2006 | neutral

Asclepias curassavica .. is also known as, Tropical Milkweed.

Featured
Florida Leaf-footed Bug
(Acanthocephala femorata)
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
(Syma torotoro)
Featured
Florida Leaf-footed Bug
(Acanthocephala femorata)
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
(Syma torotoro)