Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Milkweed is a stunning plant that adds height to a landscape space. The Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed has striking textured dark green foliage. Delicate, star-shaped white flowers emerge in clusters on top of the tall stems during the mid to late summer. This upright thriller has the scientific name Asclepias incarnata but is also known as rose milkweed or swamp milkweed.
This plant is native to North America, and once established, it requires very little care. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, but this plant is a particular favorite with Monarch butterflies. Plant the swamp milkweed in borders, mass planting, or containers. The blooms can be used as cut flowers, and they dry very well to use in dry arrangements. This hardy plant is a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9.
Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Care
Plant in full to part sun. The Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed thrives in damp soil that retains moisture, but it does not like soggy conditions. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic and have rich organic content. Milkweed is not a heavy feeder, and it is unnecessary to fertilize this plant. Apply a layer of organic compost around the plant in the spring to retain moisture and give the plant a boost of vitamins and minerals.
Remove spent blooms, so the plant has a tidy appearance. Trim the tall stems back to about 6 inches in the fall; otherwise, the plant does not require much pruning.
Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Spacing
This upright thriller reaches 36 to 48 inches tall. The plant will spread out 18 to 24 inches and can be spaced right up against one another to create a full and lush planting. Select a large pot for a single plant when grown in a container.
Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Perennials |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Mid Summer, Late Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Green Variegated |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Asclepias incarnata |
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!