Common Milkweed Asclepias Syriaca

Easy to moderate 

Starting indoors

Cold stratification will take 30 days. Start seeds in March. Wrap seeds in damp paper towel. Place in a zippered bag in the fridge for 30 days. Plant 1 to 2 seeds in small peat pots and water till moist. Leave in a well lit windowsill or under a grow lamp. Sprouts in about 2 weeks

Direct sowing in garden

Seeds do naturally scatter outdoors. Mimic nature by simply scattering seeds in late fall & cover with about 1/4 in of soil

Easy

Seed pods will brown and dry. If there is fluff or floss poking out of the pod, leave it to spread seed outdoors. Split pod seam and gently remove the seeds from the fluff. Gently brush seeds off. Let dry in a cool dry location for a week. Store in a zipped bag or envelope in the fridge until ready to plant

🌅 Outdoors
Spread quickly and not ideal to grow indoors unless the space has adequate sunlight & room to spread

☀️ Full sun

• Temps: 🌡️ Thrives in a range of temperature conditions. Cannot stand extensive exposure to extreme & extended heat conditions. Goes dormant in the winter

• Hardiness Zones: 🗺️ 3 to 9 (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Michigan)

• Humidity: 🌫️ Does not tolerate excessive humidity over an extended period

• Water Conditions: 💧 Needs watering in only the driest conditions. Overwatering results in fungus problems. Water about 1 to 2 inches and wait for the top inch to dry before watering again

• pH: 🧪 Prefers between 4.8 to 7.2

• Soil conditions: 🌱 Dry to medium-average & well-draining. Tolerates rocky or infertile

Summer

• ⚠️ Spreads aggressively and may choke other plants. Plant in a confined spot or in a spot where you don't mind it spreading 

• ☠️ toxic if ingested