Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Asclepias syriaca
Source: Donna Bos

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Asclepias syriaca
Common Milkweed
Asclépiade commune

Synonyms

silkweed
silky milkweed
asclépiade de Cornut
asclépiade de Syrie
cochons de lait
cotonnier
herbe à la ouate
petits cochons

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Rose Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Hauteur max: 3,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Common Milkweed is best suited for larger or naturalized areas due to its vigorous spreading. While this can make it difficult to manage in small gardens, it can be useful for filling space and competing in open, sunny sites. It supports a wide range of pollinators with its fragrant summer flowers. The large seed pods that follow are also valued for dried arrangements, adding seasonal interest to gardens and natural landscapes.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias syriaca
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Plaines boréales
  • Prairies
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias syriaca

Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias syriaca

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Asclepias (Milkweed Cultivars)
  • Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.