Asclepias speciosa

Big, fragrant, and beautifully Western, Asclepias speciosa is the straight species Showy Milkweed, native across much of the western half of the United States. In bloom, it is absolutely stunning, with pink, starry flower clusters up to 4" across topping upright, thick stems to about 3' tall. Large, smooth, oval green leaves give the plant a lush, bold look and provide essential host plant foliage for Monarch butterflies.

A must-have for pollinator gardens, native plantings, meadow-style borders, and wildlife-friendly landscapes, Showy Milkweed attracts Monarchs and supports their caterpillars, chrysalises, and remarkable life cycle. The fragrant blooms are also visited by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Plant Asclepias speciosa in full sun with well-drained soil. Once established, it needs little to no summer water and tolerates many soil types, including clay-ish soils. If happy, it will slowly form spreading clumps over time. Deer-resistant and wonderfully habitat-rich, this is a powerful native plant for gardeners who want beauty with purpose.

Monarch note: Wait one growing season before introducing Monarch caterpillars to newly purchased milkweed plants.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)