Botanical Name:   Asclepias curassavica

Common Names:   Tropical Milkweed

Plant type:   Herb

Host for:    Host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier

Zone:   9-12

Light:   Sun to partial shade, best bloom in sun

Size:   3 feet

Water:   Average

Soil:   Best in rich garden soil but will grow in almost any soil

Propagation:    Seed ~ For long term storage of seed, keep your left-over seed in the refrigerator in a sealed baggie.


Bloom:   yellow to orange and red

Note:   Pests: Yellow aphids, milkweed bugs, thrips, spider mites

For control of aphids, many gardeners use insecticidal soap. We found the safest and most effective means to control aphids is Malathion. Remove any caterpillars or eggs on your plant and place in a cardboard box temporarily. Spray your plant with Malathion according to instructions on label. Cover your plants immediately with a sheet or box. After 30 minutes, rinse your plant well with your water hose. After your plant has drip dried, replace your caterpillars on the plant. Any eggs can be placed in a tiny (3 inch) square or circle of material or tulle. Leave the material open on both ends. Paperclip the material (with the eggs) on the plant. When the caterpillars hatch, they will crawl off the material to the milkweed. Malathion does not become part of the plant and readily washes off. See How to grow Tropical Milkweed from cuttings. All parts of plant are poisonous keep sap out of eyes.

Butterfly Bloom Attractant:   8




Butterfly Attractant Scale:    0 - 10
10 = Excellent nectar source
8-9 = Great nectar source
6-7 = Good nectar source
5 = Fair nectar source
3-4 = Poor nectar source
1-2 = Rarely visited by butterflies
0 = We have never observed a butterfly nectaring from this flowering plant.

These ratings are offered by Shady Oak Butterfly Farm from observations in Brooker, Florida, as well as on our travels. Different species of butterflies may be attracted to different plants in different areas of the US and of the world.

Botanical Name:   Asclepias curassavica

Common Names:   Tropical Milkweed

Plant type:   Herb

Host for:    Host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier

Zone:   9-12

Light:   Sun to partial shade, best bloom in sun

Size:   3 feet

Water:   Average

Soil:   Best in rich garden soil but will grow in almost any soil

Propagation:    Seed ~ For long term storage of seed, keep your left-over seed in the refrigerator in a sealed baggie.


Bloom:   yellow to orange and red

Note:   Pests: Yellow aphids, milkweed bugs, thrips, spider mites

For control of aphids, many gardeners use insecticidal soap. We found the safest and most effective means to control aphids is Malathion. Remove any caterpillars or eggs on your plant and place in a cardboard box temporarily. Spray your plant with Malathion according to instructions on label. Cover your plants immediately with a sheet or box. After 30 minutes, rinse your plant well with your water hose. After your plant has drip dried, replace your caterpillars on the plant. Any eggs can be placed in a tiny (3 inch) square or circle of material or tulle. Leave the material open on both ends. Paperclip the material (with the eggs) on the plant. When the caterpillars hatch, they will crawl off the material to the milkweed. Malathion does not become part of the plant and readily washes off. See How to grow Tropical Milkweed from cuttings. All parts of plant are poisonous keep sap out of eyes.

Butterfly Bloom Attractant:   8




Butterfly Attractant Scale:    0 - 10
10 = Excellent nectar source
8-9 = Great nectar source
6-7 = Good nectar source
5 = Fair nectar source
3-4 = Poor nectar source
1-2 = Rarely visited by butterflies
0 = We have never observed a butterfly nectaring from this flowering plant.

These ratings are offered by Shady Oak Butterfly Farm from observations in Brooker, Florida, as well as on our travels. Different species of butterflies may be attracted to different plants in different areas of the US and of the world.