Green milkweed has unusual green flowers with purple centres and supports monarch caterpillars in open, sunny meadow or prairie planting.
- Height
- 45–77 cm / 1.5–2.5 ft
- Spread
- 30–61 cm / 1–2 ft
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil moisture
- Dry
- Flowering
- Spring, Summer
- Maintenance
- Low
- USDA zones
- 4a–9b
Planting
Choose a sunny, well-drained position with neutral soil. Give it space among open meadow plants or in a border with limited competition from vigorous neighbours.
Care
Raise additional plants from seed. Caterpillars may feed on the leaves; if you are collecting seed, check developing pods for damage from milkweed bugs.
Before planting: Milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, and the plant is harmful if swallowed in quantity.
Planting Green milkweed?
Find a landscaper nearby to help with planting and establishment.
Find a landscaperMore plants to explore
Sources & photo credit
Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked . Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.
- Green milkweed: Eric Hunt · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Butterfly weed: Susan Strine · CC BY 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Swamp milkweed: Joshua Mayer · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- 'Butterfly Blue' pincushion: Cathy DeWitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.