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.

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

#5 Pot
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

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees 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.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.