Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Deep Red') in the Milkweeds Database

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Herb/Forb
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone:	Zone 11
Plant Height:	24 - 36 inches
Plant Spread:	18 - 24 inches
Flowers:	Showy Fragrant
Flower Color:	Orange Yellow
Bloom Size:	Under 1"
Flower Time:	Late summer or early fall Fall
Uses:	Cut Flower Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Butterflies Hummingbirds
Toxicity:	Leaves are poisonous
Containers:	Suitable in 3 gallon or larger

Common names

Mexican Milkweed
Bloodflower
Milkweed
Swallow-wort
Butterfly Weed
Scarlet Milkweed

Photo Gallery

Location: Coastal San Diego County
Date: 2018-05-14
Found about 20 monarch caterpillars in someone’s green trash ca

Uploaded by carlysuko

Uploaded by carlysuko

Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-08-09
With monarch larvae.

Uploaded by chelle

Uploaded by Fleur569

Location: My garden, KY
Date: 5 June, 2023

Uploaded by poisondartfrog

Location: Tucson
Date: 2019-11-22
Butterfly Weed, flower and seed pod

Uploaded by quietyard

Location: Coastal San Diego County
Date: 2018-05-14
Found about 20 monarch caterpillars in someone's green trash can.

Uploaded by carlysuko

Uploaded by Joy

Location: Fountain, Florida
Date: 2011-10-24

Uploaded by gingin

Uploaded by clintbrown

Uploaded by vic

Location: Fountain, Florida
Date: 2011-11-12

Uploaded by gingin

Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Overton, TX
Date: 2014-06-26

Uploaded by jon

Location: Coastal San Diego County
Date: 2017-07-31

Uploaded by carlysuko

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2013-07-05

Uploaded by Marilyn

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2013-07-03

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2009-07-19

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: In our garden - San Joaquin County, CA
Date: 2014 March - Early Spring
Spring wake-up mode for the Mexican Milkweed

Uploaded by tarev

Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-08-09

Uploaded by chelle

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-09-19
Closeup

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-09-19
Taken at 8:11 am

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: In our garden - San Joaquin County, CA
Date: 2013-06-04
Bloodflower growing in container

Uploaded by tarev

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: Canoga Park, California
Date: 2006-06-18

Uploaded by Kelli

Location: Coastal San Diego County
Date: 2017-08-19

Uploaded by carlysuko

Uploaded by carlysuko

Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: Jul 2, 2006 12:39 PM

Uploaded by Marilyn

Uploaded by Marilyn

Uploaded by Marilyn

Location: Fountain, Florida
Date: 2011-11-11

Uploaded by gingin

Uploaded by tarev

Uploaded by tarev

Location: Fountain, Florida
Date: 2011-11-14

Uploaded by gingin

Location: Fountain, Florida
Date: 2012-04-01

Uploaded by gingin

Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-06-20

Uploaded by chelle

Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2012-06-17

Uploaded by chelle

This plant is tagged in:

Comments:

Posted by tabbycat (Youngsville, LA - Zone 9b) on Jun 12, 2018 5:24 PM concerning plant:

I started plants from seed 5 years ago and now they return each spring here in zone 9 from roots and volunteers. June 1, 2018 I saw the 1st flowers of this year on 3' plants. Yes, now I see butterflies regularly. Last year they grew 5 feet tall and bloomed into fall. So pretty and colorful and easy to grow.

Reply to this comment
Posted by gingin (Fountain, Florida - Zone 8b) on Dec 9, 2011 10:41 AM concerning plant:

The butterflies love this plant, as do I. I've also seen the hummers go to it. The seeds sprout fairly fast. So far I've had no problem with this plant, except for last summer when one, for some reason, became an aphid magnet. Strong blasts of water took care of them.

Reply to this comment
Posted by tabbycat (Youngsville, LA - Zone 9b) on Jun 20, 2018 8:01 AM concerning plant:

It's mid June 2018 and I've seen Monarchs arriving almost overnight to my plants that are in bloom here in zone 9 south Louisiana. I allow this colorful plant to grow randomly across my back yard just to attract these precious beauties every year.

Reply to this comment

Plant Events from our members
tabbycat	On April 10, 2024	Bloomed found a few came up in a pot of white salvia that was near plants last year by arch. Found flowers today.
tabbycat	On February 25, 2022	Plant emerged I trimmed back frost damage to 12" Feb 15 & today found new ground sprouts
tabbycat	On September 20, 2021	Bloomed 3' tall & been blooming since 1st of Aug. Fed a batch of hatched caterpillars by Aug. 25 & now attractive to humming birds.
tabbycat	On February 23, 2021	Seeds sown Must have these for Monarchs
tabbycat	On August 22, 2020	Miscellaneous Event 2020 none to be found. Sad but I have seeds.
dnrevel	On March 31, 2022	Seeds sown WS in jug alongside Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata).
variegatagal	On June 4, 2023	Bloomed
variegatagal	On May 12, 2023	Transplanted
variegatagal	On May 12, 2023	Obtained plant Denton plant factory x2

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Milkweeds Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Deep Red')

Milkweeds

Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Deep Red')