Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) - Monthly Plant Care Calendar

Written by Rhonda Hayes

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Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata is a resilient, adaptable native plant for perennial gardens, butterfly gardens and rain gardens. This milkweed prefers medium to wet soils. It grows from 3-4 feet tall in part to full sun. The beautiful pink flower clusters appear in June to July and continue until early fall. Swamp milkweed is a valuable larval plant host for the Monarch butterfly.

Here's what you should be doing each month of the year for this plant in USDA Zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b: Find Your Climate Zone.

Click a month to be taken directly to that months plant care: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

January

Nothing to do in these zones for Asclepias incarnata.

February

SOW SEEDS

To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.

March

BUY

Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.

SOW SEEDS

To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.

April

Flowering Perennials: Get plant care reminders sent to you for the plants in YOUR garden. Click below to visit each plant and their available plant care! Plant Care (392) Rudbeckia fulgida var. auriculata SUNSET ZONES: 23, 24 SteveBrigham Alstroemeria X Koice 'Inca Ice' Inca Ice SUNSET ZONES: 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Rosa hybrid 'Oregold' Oregold Hybrid Tea Rose SUNSET ZONES: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Rosa hybrid 'Tahitian Sunset' Tahitian Sunset Hybrid Tea Rose SUNSET ZONES: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Rosa hybrid 'Lyric' Lyric Shrub Rose SUNSET ZONES: 21, 22, 23, 24 USDA ZONES: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 JackShoultz Rosa hybrid 'Meiboulka' Oso Easy Cherry Pie Shrub Rose USDA ZONES: 4a, 4a, 4b, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b Rosa hybrid 'Scrivjean' Oso Easy Honey Bun Shrub Rose USDA ZONES: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b Berberis thunbergii 'Celeste' Sunjoy Cinnamon Barberry USDA ZONES: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b Heuchera micrantha 'Old La Rochette' Coral Bells SUNSET ZONES: 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Anigozanthos spp Kangaroo Paws SUNSET ZONES: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 USDA ZONES: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 Lucy Rosa hybrid 'Othello' Othello Shrub (English) Rose SUNSET ZONES: 21, 22, 23, 24 USDA ZONES: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 JackShoultz Asclepias tuberosa Western Golden Butterfly Weed USDA ZONES: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b The Growers Exchange Rosa hybrid 'Lavender Lace' Lavender Lace Floribunda Rose SUNSET ZONES: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Lamb' Little Lamb Hydrangea USDA ZONES: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b Hydrangea macrophylla 'Venice Raven' Cityline Venice Hydrangea USDA ZONES: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b Rosa hybrid 'Gizmo' Rosa hybrid Gizmo Miniature Rose SUNSET ZONES: 21, 22, 23, 24 USDA ZONES: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 JackShoultz Rosa hybrid 'Carefree Sunshine' Carefree Sunshine Shrub Rose SUNSET ZONES: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Lavandula angustifolia 'Melissa' Melissa Pink Lavender SUNSET ZONES: 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Heuchera maxima Island Alum Root SUNSET ZONES: 22, 23, 24 SteveBrigham Weigela florida 'Alexandra' Wine and Roses Weigela USDA ZONES: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

BUY

Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.

SOW SEEDS

To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.

PRUNE

For bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.

May

BUY

Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.

FERTILIZE

Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.

WATER

Water well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.

PRUNE

For bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.

June

BUY

Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.

FERTILIZE

Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.

WATER

Water well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.

MULCH

Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.

PEST/DISEASE INSPECTION

Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.

July

FERTILIZE

Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.

WATER

Provide adequate water through hot weather.

MULCH

Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.

PEST/DISEASE INSPECTION

Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.

TREAT FOR PEST/DISEASE

Direct a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.

PROPAGATE

Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.

August

WATER

Provide adequate water through hot weather.

MULCH

Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.

PEST/DISEASE INSPECTION

Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.

TREAT FOR PEST/DISEASE

Direct a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.

TRANSPLANT

Transplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.

PROPAGATE

Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.

September

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.

SOW SEEDS

Sow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.

TRANSPLANT

Transplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.

PROPAGATE

Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.

October

PLANT

Swamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.

SOW SEEDS

Sow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.

November

Nothing to do in these zones for Asclepias incarnata.

December

Nothing to do in these zones for Asclepias incarnata.

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You can get these instructions sent directly to your Profile page, click here to learn how.

• You can get Plant Care Reminders sent directly to your Profile page, learn how.
• See all of Rhonda's Monthly Plant Care Reminders here.
• See all available Plant Care Reminders at the Plant Care Hub here.
• Search for plant care alphabetically here.
  
• Add Asclepias incarnata to your plant lists, learn how.
• Search our plant database for photos and more great information here.