Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Origin: United States and Canada

Improvement status: Wild

Seeds per packet: ~250

Germination tested 11/2023: 50%

Life cycle: Perennial

Beautiful and delicious native perennial, of critical importance to monarch butterflies — the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat. The young leaves, flowers and flower buds are all edible for people too (after cooking). Nate loves the flowers cooked with scrambled eggs. Flowers are also pollinator magnets. Spreads by rhizomes.

Our seed was scrounged for by our friend Lorna Koestner from the wild population of milkweed at her homestead just outside of Duluth, MN.

GROWING TIPS: Cold-moist stratify seed 30 days, or direct-seed outside in fall.