Swamp Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a showy, native perennial that features gracefully arching stems, lance-shaped leaves, and airy clusters of sweetly scented pink to mauve flowers. Blooming from mid to late summer, this three to five-foot-tall perennial has an airy, upright form that makes it an excellent choice for borders, pollinator gardens, and naturalized settings. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Swamp Milkweed is a magnet for pollinators and a critical plant for monarch butterfly conservation, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to support native wildlife.

Swamp Milkweed is a great choice if you want to help monarch butterflies for a couple of reasons.

First of all, it is a host plant for monarch caterpillars. The only plant female monarchs will lay eggs on is milkweed. When the eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat the leaves. By planting Swamp Milkweed, you are not only providing food for monarchs, but you are also directly helping them. The second reason this is a good choice is that the plant's blooms are a favorite source of nectar for pollinators. You will attract bees, butterflies (including swallowtails and skippers), and hummingbirds.

Compared to other milkweeds, Swamp Milkweed is particularly well-suited for gardens with wetter soil conditions. Its common name comes from its affinity for moist to wet soils, so it’s an ideal choice for rain gardens, pond edges, or any areas that tend to hold moisture or experience seasonal flooding. While Swamp Milkweed can tolerate average garden soil, it will thrive and look its best in consistently moist conditions. This makes it a great choice for diverse landscape settings.

Swamp Milkweed boasts a long bloom time that keeps its nectar-filled flowers coming during the height of summer, when many other perennials have already finished blooming.

Low-maintenance and deer-resistant once established, Swamp Milkweed is a reliable perennial that returns each year in most regions. It has a deep root system that allows it to survive periods of drought once the plant is well-established, despite its preference for moist soils. As with all milkweeds, it can be left alone to bloom and set seed, or you can deadhead spent flowers if you prefer a tidier look or wish to encourage a second flush of blooms.

Swamp Milkweed is an excellent plant for gardeners who want a beautiful, native perennial that offers both ornamental value and habitat benefits.  

Swamp Milkweed is an elegant plant with blooms that add a bright splash of summer color. It's loved by pollinators and monarch butterflies, so consider planting a whole group of it or combining it with other natives. Swamp Milkweed is a great choice for gardeners who are looking to help the environment.