- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Fet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Fet
- Growing Zones 9 - 11
- Use As A Thriller In Containers
Brighten up your landscape with the Red Tropical Milkweed. Bold red and orange flowers grow in clusters and bloom during the summer. The light green foliage is narrow and comes to a gentle point. This upright thriller grows to be 3 feet tall and wide and is also known as Asclepias curassavica or Mexican Butterfly Weed. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators, most notably butterflies.
As a large, mounding plant, the Red Tropical Milkweed makes a stunning addition to a border or mass planting. The bright flowers can be cut to use in arrangements or to dry for long-term use. Milkweed is native to the warmer regions of North America, and it is very low maintenance once it has settled in. This deer-resistant plant is grown as an annual in most areas.
Red Tropical Milkweed Care
Plant in full sun, but Milkweed can handle partial sunlight. Rich soil will promote more growth, but this plant can also live in low-quality soil. Milkweed is not a heavy feeder but amend poor quality soil with organic compost during planting. Soil should be well-draining because this plant does not like to be soggy. Monitor the soil and water if the top several inches are dry.
This variety is very popular with butterflies and can disrupt migratory patterns, so it is best to cut back the growth after the flowers fade. The plant can be brought indoors and grown as a houseplant for the winter. Red Tropical Milkweed grown as a houseplant needs bright indirect light and has moderate water needs.
Red Tropical Milkweed Spacing
This annual will grow 24 to 36 inches tall and be just as wide. Space the root ball at least 3 feet from a building or tree. Create a lush landscape by spacing multiple plants 24 to 36 inches apart, measuring from the center of the root ball.
Red Tropical Milkweed Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11 |
| Plant Type: Annuals |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Fet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Red |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Summer |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| 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: Red Tropical Milkweed |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Asclepias curassavica |
- SKU:
- ASCRE
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.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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