- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 1 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 1 - 2 Inches
- Growing Zones 4 - 9
Whorled Milkweed is a North American native meadow plant and the primary host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Also known as Asclepias verticillata, this plant can be found in most of the Central and Southwestern United States. In addition to Monarch butterflies, many other beneficial insects, such as native bees and wasps, are attracted to this milkweed. It is a plant that adapts to many conditions and soil types and is the latest blooming of all the milkweeds, blooming from late July to October.
The creamy white flowers of Whorled Milkweed are very fragrant and blend well in meadow plantings or naturalized plantings in a garden. The loose flowering heads and leggy shape make this plant blend in well with a cottage garden or pollinator bed in a kitchen garden. Whorled Milkweed is one of the more toxic milkweeds for livestock and should not be planted near open grazing areas.
Whorled Milkweed Care
Whorled Milkweed grows well in full sun to part sun and will tolerate a wide range of soils. The soil should be well drained but moist. Milkweed does not require high nutrition to grow well and will self-seed heavily in fertile soils. After this native plant is established, it is drought tolerant and will require little supplemental irrigation. Milkweed spreads mainly from underground rhizomes that extend from the main plant. Vigorous spreading can be kept in check by dividing and replanting it every 2-3 years.
The spent flower heads can be deadheaded to keep self-seeding under control. The tiny seed is wind dispersed and can spread far from the mother plant. Clear away the previous season's top growth in early summer. Allowing it to remain in place over the winter will protect any Monarch eggs laid the previous season and shelter pupating larvae.
Whorled Milkweed Spacing
Whorled Milkweed can be spaced 12 inches apart. This allows for good coverage of the ground and weed suppression while maintaining adequate air circulation.
Whorled Milkweed Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Perennials |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 1 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 1 - 2 Inches |
| Spacing: 1 - 2 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Green, White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Bloom In Mid- To Late Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Whorled Milkweed (Horsetail Milkweed) |
| Other Name(s): Whorled Milkweed |
| Scientific Name: Asclepias verticillata |
- SKU:
- WHMLK-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.
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