Swamp Milkweed is a native perennial typically found in full sun in swamps, floodplains, and wet meadows. Though not drought tolerant, Swamp Milkweed has very high pollinator value and provides an essential food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. More chrysalises have been observed on this milkweed variety than on any other in our production fields. The attractive pink flowers of Swamp Milkweed bloom from summer to fall, reaching a height of up to 4.9′.
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is an erect-growing, clump-forming perennial species that can grow to a height of 4.9 ft. The stems of this native milkweed are sparsely hairy to smooth. Leaves of Asclepias incarnata are in an opposite arrangement on the stem. Swamp Milkweed has the characteristic sticky, milky sap we associate with milkweeds. Asclepias incarnata blooms in midsummer with pink and occasionally white flowers that form at the tip of the stems. When sunlight strikes the blooms of Swamp Milkweed, they give off the scent of bubblegum. Seed pods of Asclepias incarnata form in a candelabra-like arrangement. Typically, Asclepias incarnata is found on the damp soils of wet meadows, swamps, and floodplains in full sun. Swamp Milkweed is a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and the species upon which we observe the most caterpillars and chrysalis in our production fields. In addition to supporting monarch caterpillars, Asclepias incarnata provides nectar for many species of native bees and butterflies. Swamp Milkweed is a beautiful addition to rain garden, retention basin, riparian, wet meadow, and wetland mixes. Aphids can overwhelm Swamp Milkweed, so we do not recommend planting Swamp Milkweed in a monoculture. Seed dormancy can be high for individual lots of Asclepias incarnata. We recommend three months of cold, moist stratification to break this dormancy for transplant production. Swamp Milkweed is a member of the Asclepiadaceae or milkweed family. The genus name is derived from Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine,. The species name incarnata means "flesh-colored."
