How to Grow and Care for Showy milkweed

Showy milkweed, also known as Greek Milkweed

Showy milkweed is a North American native perennial that is generally easy to maintain. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils and is drought tolerant once established. A special care point for showy milkweed is to manage its spreading habit, as it can be aggressive with its underground rhizomes. Minimize over-watering to prevent root rot. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering and control seed dispersion if self-seeding is a concern.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Human & Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Showy milkweed

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Winter
Hardiness Zones	3-9
Toxicity	Toxic to Human & Pets

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The Toxicity of Showy milkweed

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More General Info About Showy milkweed

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Showy milkweed is a robust perennial that stretches up to 3 feet (91 cm) tall, spreading through rhizomes to form spacious clumps. Its stems are adorned with large, hairy, oval gray-green leaves, each up to 5 inches (13 cm) in length, organized in opposite pairs. From late spring to early summer, showy milkweed exhibits large, spherical clusters of pale pinkish-purple, star-shaped flowers with a light fragrance, each cluster demonstrating reflexed calyces. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and requires minimal watering once settled.