Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Asclepias exaltata
image of Flowering plant
Asclepias exaltata
Poke milkweed
Asclépiade très grande

Obsolete Names

  • tall milkweed
  • grande asclépiade
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom colour: White Bloom period: June - July
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan : Perennial
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
Landscape uses:
container suitable Suitable for container garden
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation

Plant Distribution

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias exaltata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Ecozone-Mixed Wood Plain
  • Ecozone-Boreal Shield

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias exaltata

  • Danaus plexippus (Monarch)

Bees Supported by Asclepias exaltata

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

  • No complementary plants found.

Sowing Information

  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow before March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days

Harvesting Information

  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting mean: Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed Viability Test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging Measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed Storage: Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • On Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species