Chill butterfly weed
1–2 weeks cold and moist, then warm to sprout.
Flower SeedsHSC-ASC-006-PKT
Use the previous and next buttons or the left and right arrow keys to browse product media.
1 / 3
Asclepias incarnata
120 - 130Days to maturity
A seed worth growing
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias Seed
About this variety
The native swamp milkweed.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is grown for cut flowers and for butterflies.
Clusters of rose to mauve florets top sturdy stems from summer to frost, over narrow, lance-shaped leaves. It is a native North American milkweed and a host plant for monarch caterpillars, and it brings in butterflies and hummingbirds. Perennial in Zones 3–8.
Flowers about 120–130 days from sowing, on plants 32–48" tall. Open-pollinated.
Specs
- Packet: 50 seeds
- Average 6,300 seeds per oz.
- Plant height: 32–48"
In stock — Packet
Current price
$6.10
Original price
Sale price
- Checkout is completed through Shopify
- Shipping and taxes are shown at checkout
- Questions? Contact our seed support team
Know before you sow
Quick Facts
Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.
Growing guide
From seed to harvestPot up early
Taproots suffer when root-bound; move up at 3–5 weeks.
Sun and drainage
12–24" apart; poor soil is fine.
Cut half open
Mind the milky sap.
Growing Information
Days to germination
About 2–3 weeks at 65–70°F (18–21°C). Butterfly weed (pleurisy root) seed sprouts better after chilling: keep it moist and covered in the refrigerator at 40–50°F (4–10°C) for 1–2 weeks, then move it somewhere warm.
Starting indoors
The best method. Sow 1/4" deep 7–9 weeks before the last frost. Seedlings start a taproot right away and decline fast if they get root-bound, so move them into larger cells or 3–4" pots 3–5 weeks after sowing. Harden off and plant out after the last frost.
Direct sowing
Sow in fall or spring.
Light
Full sun.
Plant height
32–48".
Plant spacing
12–24".
Hardiness
Depends on the variety.
Harvest
Cut when half to two-thirds of the flowers are open. If stems wilt, stand them in water for a day to recover.
Soil
Free-draining sandy loam; tolerates poor soil.
Uses
Cut flowers, borders, containers and butterfly gardens.
Caution
The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes; wear gloves and wash after handling.
Packet
50 seeds.
Seeds per oz.
About 6,300 on average.
Satisfaction Guarantee
We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.
If anything you order from us doesn’t meet your expectations, just let us know and we’ll replace it or refund what you paid.
You May Also Like
Apollo Orange Asclepias SeedFlower Seeds
Apollo Orange milkweed seeds: tall tropical milkweed with vivid orange flowers from sum...
Milkmaid Asclepias SeedFlower Seeds
Milkmaid swamp milkweed seeds: native white swamp milkweed with creamy florets on tall,...
Oscar Asclepias SeedFlower Seeds
Oscar milkweed seeds: milkweed grown for big lime-green balloon pods on arching branche...
Pleurisy Root Asclepias SeedAsclepias Seed
Pleurisy root butterfly weed seeds: butterfly weed with showy orange flowers that draw ...
