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Native Plant Society of Texas

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Other common name(s):

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Rolling Sand Plains
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1.5
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Gravelly, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Green, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance and drought tolerant, once established. Develops a strong tap root, so best not to disturb or transplant. Does not tolerant shade, must be in open spaces. Grows in a variety of soils, but avoid rich, amended soils. Colonizes through roots. Native habitat: ranges from sunny and dry to moist, in savannas, prairies, road-sides, old fields, and meadows. Not common in plant nurseries but seeds are available commercially. WARNING all parts toxic. Propagation: seed, root cutting,

Comments

Blooms May-September. A stout, unbranched, pubescent plant. Forms large, oval, blue-green leaves. Inflorescence is a showy, spherical cluster of pink, star-shaped flowers that occur at the top of the stem and in leaf axils. It is distinct in having the largest flowers of any species of Asclepias in North America. Contains milky sap. This species is closely related to the Common milkweed, A. syriaca, with which it sometimes hybridizes at the eastern limits of its distribution. The fruit is a follicle (pod), covered with hairs. Larval host: Monarch Butterfly.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Asclepias giffordii

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Place the seeds in a bowl with lid in some water or a damp paper towel and place in the fridge for a few weeks or until sprouted. When sprouted place the sprouts flat on their sides into some damp soil. Cover with a very thin layer of soil. These plants should be planted directly into the ground. They don't transplant well due to long roots. https://calscape.org/Asclepias-speciosa-(Showy-Milkweed)
Seed No Treatment Seeds can be directly sown into the ground in the fall. The seed is very viable. Planting seed the first fall after collecting them maximizes success. Seedlings will usually bloom in their second year. Collect seeds after pods have ripened, but before they have split open. The seeds are wind dispersed, so be careful when gathering to place in a paper or burlap bag to avoid seed loss. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_assp.pdf
Tuber Cutting Timing of propagation is important. Harvest or divide plants and move them in October at the beginning of the rainy season. Place the plants in the ground by late fall so they can develop enough root growth to survive the winter. Irrigation the first year will improve survival, and by the second year the root system should be well enough established so plants will survive on their own. Cuttings usually bloom the second year, but will occasionally bloom during their first year. The cuttings should be made when the plant is dormant. Each piece of the tuberous rhizome should have at least one bud (they are about two inches apart). https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_assp.pdf

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason