Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is a western native perennial prized for its soft, needle-like foliage and delicate clusters of pale lavender to white flowers. Blooming from early summer through late fall, this milkweed brings a touch of elegance with its wispy stems and understated beauty. Growing 2 to 4 feet tall, it’s an essential host plant for Monarch butterflies, providing nourishment for both caterpillars and adult pollinators. Unlike more aggressive milkweed species, Narrowleaf Milkweed forms modest colonies, making it an excellent addition to naturalistic gardens and pollinator habitats.
Native to California and much of the western United States, this herbaceous perennial thrives in sunny, dry areas and tolerates a variety of soil types, from sandy loam to clay. Its drought resistance and deer resistance make it ideal for xeriscapes, wildflower meadows, and low-maintenance borders. The fragrant flowers also attract bees and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. Plant it in mass plantings, use it as a specimen plant, or let it naturalize along slopes and roadsides.
Narrowleaf Milkweed Care
For optimal growth, plant Narrowleaf Milkweed in full sun, though it tolerates partial shade in hotter climates. It prefers well-drained soil but adapts to dry or clay-rich areas. During the first growing season, water deeply but infrequently to encourage root establishment. Once mature, it only needs occasional watering during prolonged droughts. Avoid overwatering, as the taproot prefers dry conditions. Fertilization is unnecessary, though a light layer of compost at planting can boost early growth.
Prune back old stems to ground level in early spring before new growth emerges. Deadheading spent blooms can reduce self-seeding, but leaving some seed pods intact provides winter interest and supports natural reseeding. In late fall, avoid cutting down the dried stems too early—birds, such as Orioles, may use them for nesting material.
Narrowleaf Milkweed Spacing
When planting Narrowleaf Milkweed, space plants 24 to 36 inches apart for informal groupings or pollinator patches. For larger colonies or wildflower borders, spacing closer together at 20-inch intervals creates a denser look. In containers, use a pot at least 12 inches wide to accommodate its deep taproot and upright growth habit.
- SKU:
- NARMLK-GC
Container Sizes
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
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
2.5 Quart
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
#1 Pot
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
#2 Pot
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
#3 Pot
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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations