Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold')

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milkweed
Featured
Resistances
Deer Resistant, Humidity tolerant
Soil pH Preferences
Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0), Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Sun Requirements
Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Uses
Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant
Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Bloom Size
Under 1"
Containers
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Time
Fall, Late fall or early winter, Late spring or early summer, Late summer or early fall, Summer
Flowers
Showy
Fruit
Dehiscent, Other: 2 to 3 inch long pods containing numerous silky seeds.
Life cycle
Perennial
Minimum cold hardiness
Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Plant Habit
Herb/Forb
Plant Height
3 to 4 feet
Plant Spread
2 to 3 feet
Propagation: Other methods
Cuttings: Stem
Propagation: Seeds
Days to germinate: 2 to 3 weeks, Depth to plant seed: Shallowly sow at depth of approximately 1/4 inch; keep moist., Needs specific temperature: 65-70ºF, Other info: Direct sow in spring.
Detailed Information

While commonly called “Tropical Milkweed,” *Asclepias curassavica* is native to **tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas**. This includes areas of:

* **Mexico**
* **Central America**
* **South America**
* **The Caribbean**

It has become naturalized in many other tropical and subtropical regions around the world due to its popularity as a butterfly garden plant. The cultivar ‘Silky Gold’ is a selected variety of this species, bred for its golden yellow flowers, but its origin is still based on the parent species *Asclepias curassavica*.

Needs excellent drainage in pots