List of Texas Milkweeds
Texas Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden
There are thirty-seven species of native Texas milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an important host species for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly in particular uses the cardenolides found in the milky sap of milkweeds to give an unpleasant taste to predators. These plants are also an important nectar source to all insects visiting your pollinator garden.
List of Texas Milkweeds
1. Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis): This Texas milkweed is native in the central and eastern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, Clasping milkweed grows in dry woodlands, prairies, meadows, and roadsides having sandy or gravelly soil. Growing up to 3 feet tall, this plant has greenish-pink, red, brown, to purple flowers that bloom from March to September.
In a garden setting, clasping milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and can be grown in places with full sun to part-shade having dry sandy soil. Seeds for clasping milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
2. Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria), a Texas Milkweed for Sandy Soil
Western Sand Milkweed (Ascelpias arenaria): This Texas milkweed is native with a scattered distribution in the central and northern counties (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, western sand milkweed grows in open places such as fields, pastures, dunes, sandhills, and roadsides. This milkweed grows up to 3 feet tall, and has pale-green to greenish-white flowers having a purplish hue that bloom from May to October.
In a garden setting, western sand milkweed requires sandy well-drained soil in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9. Seeds for western sand milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
3. Spider Milkweed (Asclepias asperula), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Spider Milkweed (Ascelpias asperula): This Texas milkweed is native throughout the state, except for the eastern counties (Kartesz 2015). Spider milkweed has two subspecies, one of which, subspecies capricornu is in Oklahoma. In the wild, spider milkweed is found in dry open habitats such as desert swales and scrub and pastures. Growing from 1 to 3 feet high, the cream-green flowers bloom from April to June and it is hardy in zones 5-9.
In a garden setting, spider milkweed requires a full sun exposure with dry and/or rocky soils. Seeds for spider milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
4. Bract Milkweed (Asclepias brachystephana), a Texas Milkweed for Dry and Well-drained Soils
Bract Milkweed (Ascelpias brachystephana): This Texas milkweed is native in the western counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, bract milkweed is found on dry mesas and disturbed areas with sandy soil. Growing from 0.5 to 2 feet high, it has red, pink, purple to greenish-purple flowers that bloom from April to September.
In a garden setting, bract milkweed requires full sun with dry sandy soils and is hardy in zones 6-10.
5. Emory’s Milkweed (Asclepias emoryi), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Sandy and Limestone Soils
Emory’s Milkweed (Ascelpias emoryi): This Texas milkweed is native to the central and southern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, Emory’s milkweed grows in sandy prairies and disturbed places such as roadsides and railways. Growing from 0.3 to 0.6 feet high, it has greenish-white to greenish-yellow flowers that bloom from April to August.
In a garden setting, Emory’s milkweed requires full sun with dry sandy and limestone soils and is hardy in zones 7-10.
6. Engelmann’s Milkweed (Asclepias engelmanniana), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Engelmann’s Milkweed (Ascelpias engelmanniana): This Texas milkweed is native to throughout the state except for the southeastern and eastern counties (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, Engelmann’s milkweed is found in dry prairies, canyons and in open woodlands having limestone or sandy soils. Growing from 2 to 5 feet tall, this plant has cream-green flowers that bloom from May to September.
In a garden setting, Engelmann’s milkweed requires full sun, dry sandy or limestone soils and is hardy in zones 5-9. Seeds for Engelmann’s milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
7. Nodding Milkweed (Asclepias glaucescens), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Nodding Milkweed (Ascelpias glaucesens): This Texas milkweed is native to the southwestern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, nodding milkweed is found in dry woodlands, rocky slopes, creek beds, and old fields. Growing from 0.5 to 4 feet tall, this plant has white to greenish-cream flowers suffused with red or purple. The flowers bloom from June to September.
In a garden setting, nodding milkweed requires full sun and dry soil. It is hardy in zones 7-11.
8. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), A Texas Milkweed for Moist Soils
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): This Texas milkweed has two subspecies, ssp. incarnata and ssp. pulchra. The former is native in the center of the state (hardy in zones 3-9), while the latter is adventive in three counties in Texas (Kartesz 2015). Like the name suggests, in the wild, it is found in wet places including the shores of streams, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. This is one of the taller milkweeds growing from 3 to 5 feet tall. The flowers, which bloom from July to September are generally a pink to red color, but there is also a white cultivar (pictured below).
In a garden setting, swamp milkweed requires full sun to part shade and prefers moist to medium moisture soil, but it can exist in drier soil. Seeds for swamp milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
9. Dwarf Milkweed (Asclepias involucrata), A Texas Milkweed for Sandy Well-drained Soils
Dwarf Milkweed (Asclepias involucrata): This Texas milkweed native and rare in the northern counties of the state. (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, this species grows on prairies with sandy soil. This is one of the shorter milkweeds growing from 0.5 to 1 foot tall. The flowers, which bloom from May to June, are white to green (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015).
In a garden setting, dwarf milkweed requires full sun and well-drained sandy soil. This species is rare in a lot of its range and is likely not in the horticultural trade.
10. Few-flower Milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), A Texas Milkweed for Moist to Wet Soils
Few-flower Milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata): This Texas milkweed native to the southeastern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, this species grows on prairies, pine barrens, and the edges or marshes. Growing from 2 to 5 feet tall, this few-flower milkweed has yellow, orange, to red flowers that bloom from May to August.
In a garden setting, few-flower milkweed requires full sun to part-shade and loamy soils that are moist to wet. It is hardy in zones 5-11.
11. Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Sandy Soils
Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia): This Texas milkweed is native mostly in the western and northern counties of the state with a more scattered distribution in the eastern counties (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, broad-leaf milkweed grows in open areas having full sun such as prairies, roadsides, and other right-of-ways. Growing from 1 to 3 feet tall, the greenish to yelllow flowers bloom from May to August.
In a garden setting, broad-leaf milkweed is hardy in zones 5-8, and grows best in places having full sun to part-shade with dry sandy soils. Seeds of broad-leaf milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
12. Slim Milkweed (Asclepias linearis), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Slim Milkweed (Asclepias linearis): This Texas milkweed is native mostly to the southeastern region of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, slim milkweed grows in open areas having full sun such as dry prairies and wetlands. It is a short milkweed, growing from 0.5 to 2 feet tall, and has greenish-white flowers that bloom from April to October.
In a garden setting, slim milkweed is hardy in zones 8-10 and grows best in places having full sun and dry soils. However it can handle wet conditions in gardens.
13. Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia), A Texas Milkweed for Moist Soils
Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia): This Texas milkweed is native mainly in the southeastern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, long-leaf milkweed grows in moist areas and wetlands such as bogs, swamps, wet flatwoods, and moist prairies. Growing from 1 to 2.5 feet tall, the greenish-white flowers bloom from April to July.
In a garden setting, long-leaf milkweed requires full sun, moist to wet soils, and is hardy in zones 4-9.
14. Long-hood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Long-hood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis): This Texas milkweed is native to the western and southwestern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, long-hood milkweed grows on dry hills and mesas (Woodson 1954) and limestone (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015) having full sun. Growing from 0.3 to 1 foot tall it is among the shortest milkweeds in Texas. The greenish-yellow to yellowish-white flowers bloom from May to October.
In a garden setting, long-hood milkweed is hardy in zones 8-10 and requires full sun with dry soils.
15. Tufted Milkweed (Asclepias nummularia), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Tufted Milkweed (Asclepias nummularia): This Texas milkweed is native to three southwestern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, tufted milkweed grows on dry grasslands, rocky places, and woodlands having full sun. Growing from 0.15 to 0.3 foot tall it is the shortest milkweed in Texas and has greenish-white, white, purple to rose flowers that bloom from March to August.
In a garden setting, tufted milkweed is hardy in zones 8-10 and requires full sun with dry soils.
16. Pineland Milkweed (Asclepias obovata), a Texas Milkweed for Well-drained Soils in Sun
Pineland Milkweed (Asclepias obovata): This Texas milkweed is native to the eastern counties and one southern county in the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, pineland milkweed grows, as the name would suggest, on pinelands, but it also can be found on coastal prairies (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015) and on roadsides and fields. Growing from 0.5 to 3 feet tall, this species has greenish-yellow flowers with purplish hoods that bloom from June to October.
In a garden setting, pineland milkweed is hardy in zones 7-10 and requires full sun with well-drained soils.
17. Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides), a Texas Milkweed for Well-drained high pH Soils
Zizotes Milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides): This Texas milkweed is native throughout the state, except for the far eastern counties (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, zizotes milkweed grows on rocky areas with limestone having a high pH. On the coast it can grow in the dunes (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015) and it can also be found in open areas such as fields, thickets, and roadsides (Woodson 1954). Growing from 1 to 2 feet tall, this species has white, greenish-white to yellow flowers that bloom from April to November.
In a garden setting, zizotes milkweed is hardy in zones 7-9 and requires full sun to partial-shade with mesic to dry well-drained high pH soils.
18. Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis), a Texas Milkweed for Moist Soils
Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis): This Texas milkweed is native in the southeastern counties and one county in the east-central area (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, aquatic milkweed grows on the margins of wetlands such as swamps, alluvial woods, ditches, and marshes. Growing from 1 to 3.5 feet tall, this species has white to pink, purplish-rose or purple flowers that bloom from April to October.
In a garden setting, aquatic milkweed is hardy in zones 6-10 and requires full sun to partial-shade with moist soils.
19. Prostrate Milkweed (Asclepias prostrata), a Texas Milkweed for Medium Soils
Prostrate Milkweed (Asclepias prostrata): This Texas milkweed is native and rare in three southern counties in the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, prostrate milkweed grows in sandy shrublands. Growing from 1 to 1.5 feet tall, this species has greenish-white to rose colored flowers that bloom from April to October. In 2022, this species was proposed to be listed as federally endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
This plant is rare and proposed for listing as endangered. Gardening is not recommended, but this is a native plant to Texas and is included.
20. Low Milkweed (Asclepias pumila), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Low Milkweed (Asclepias pumila): This Texas milkweed is native to the northern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, low milkweed grows in dry open areas having full sun such as prairies. One of the shorter milkweeds, this plant grows from 0.5 to 1.5 feet tall. The flowers are white, greenish-white or yellowish-white with hints of red and bloom from July to September.
In a garden setting, low milkweed requires full sun, dry sandy and/or gravelly soils, and is hardy in zones 5-9.
21. Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), a Texas Milkweed for Moist Soils
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens): This Texas milkweed is native to one county in the northeastern Texas (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, purple milkweed grows in moist to dry places having full sun to part shade such as swamps, woodlands, meadows, roadsides, and dry fields. Growing up to 6 feet tall, this plant has purple to pink flowers that bloom from May to July.
In a garden setting, purple milkweed is hardy in zones 3-8 and requires part shade but can handle full sun. Soils should be moist and well-drained, but dry soil can be tolerated. Seeds for purple milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
22. Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra), a Texas Milkweed for Wet Soils
Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra): This Texas milkweed is native to the eastern and central counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, red milkweed grows in wet open areas such as bogs, wet meadows, and pine barrens (Woodson 1954). Growing from 1 to 3 feet tall, this plant has pink, purple, red to lavender flowers that bloom from May to August.
In a garden setting, red milkweed is hardy in zones 6-9 and grows best in places of full sun to part-shade with wet organic soil.
23. Bear Mountain Milkweed (Asclepias scaposa), a Texas Milkweed for High Moisture Soils
Bear Mountain Milkweed (Asclepias scaposa): This Texas milkweed is native to three southwestern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, red milkweed grows in shrubland openings that are gravelly, talus slopes (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015), and mountainsides (Woodson 1954). Growing up to 1 foot tall, this plant has rose to purple (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015 and Woodson 1954), to white flowers (Vail 1899) that bloom in April.
In a garden setting, bear mountain milkweed is hardy in zones 8-10 and grows best in places of full sun to part-shade with a lot of moisture.
24. Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), a Texas Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soils
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): This Texas milkweed is native to the northern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, showy milkweed grows in mesic to dry open areas such as roadsides, fields, and woodlands. Growing from 1 to 3 feet tall, this plant has purple to pink flowers that bloom from April to June.
In a garden setting, showy milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires places of full sun having medium to dry well-drained soil. Seeds for showy milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
25. Sperry’s Milkweed (Asclepias sperryi), a Texas Milkweed for High pH Soils
Sperry’s Milkweed (Asclepias sperryi): This Texas milkweed is native to two southwestern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, Sperry’s milkweed grows in grasslands having limestone (Singhurst and Hutchins 2015) and limestone slopes (Woodson 1954). This milkweed is one of the shortest and grows from 4 inches to 1 foot tall. The greenish-yellow to white flowers bloom from April to August.
In a garden setting, Sperry’s milkweed is hardy in zones 7-8 and requires places of full sun to part-shade having high pH soil.
26. Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla): This Texas milkweed is native in scattered counties, except for the south and southwest (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, slim-leaf milkweed grows in open areas with full sun such as prairies and sandy areas. Growing from 0.5 to 3 feet tall, this milkweed has greenish-white flowers that bloom from June to August.
In a garden setting, slim-leaf milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9 and requires full sun and dry sandy or gravelly soils. Seeds of this plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
27. Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata), a Texas Milkweed for All Soils
Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata): This Texas milkweed is native mainly in the southwestern counties of the state with a scattered distribution elsewhere (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, horsetail milkweed grows in open areas with full sun such as rocky plains and flats, roadsides, waste places, and marshes and wet areas. Growing up to 4 feet tall, this milkweed has white to greenish-white flowers that bloom from May to September.
In a garden setting, horsetail milkweed is hardy in zones 5-8, requires full sun, and can handle a variety of moisture conditions. Seeds of this plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
28. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a Texas Milkweed for All Soils
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): This Texas milkweed is native throughout the state, but is scattered in the west (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, common milkweed grows in open areas such as fields, pastures, and roadsides, where there is full sun. One of the taller milkweeds, it can grow up to 6 feet tall and has flowers ranging from pink, greenish-purple, greenish-white, to white that bloom from June to August.
In a garden setting, common milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9. Seeds of this plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
29. Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana), a Texas Milkweed for Well-drained Soils
Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana): This Texas milkweed is native to the southwestern and central counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, Texas milkweed grows in canyons, arroyos, and hillsides. It can also be in shaded areas (Quillen 1922). Growing from 0.5 to 3 feet tall, it has white flowers bloom from June to August.
In a garden setting, Texas milkweed is hardy in zone 6 and requires full sun to part-shade to well-drained soil.
30. Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa), a Texas Milkweed for Medium to Dry Sandy Soils
Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa): This Texas milkweed is native to the several counties in the eastern part of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, velvetleaf milkweed grows in pine woodlands and sandhills. Growing from 2 to 3 feet tall, it has yellow-cream, green flowers that may or may not have a pink to maroon tint. The flowers bloom from April to August.
In a garden setting, velvetleaf milkweed is hardy in zones 7-10 and requires full sun in sandy soil that is medium to dry.
31. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a Texas Milkweed for All Soils
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): This Texas milkweed is one of the most common for butterfly gardeners on the east coast of the United States. In Texas, subspecies interior of this species grows throughout the state except for the southern counties (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, butterfly weed grows in open areas with full sun such as fields, roadsides, and open woods. Growing from 1 to 3 feet tall, it has characteristically orange flowers that bloom throughout the summer and sometimes into the autumn.
In a garden setting, butterfly weed is hardy from zones 3-9. Seeds of butterfly weed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
32. Wheel Milkweed (Asclepias uncialis), a Texas Milkweed for Well-drained Soil
Wheel Milkweed (Asclepias uncialis): This Texas milkweed is native to one county, in the south-central part of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, wheel milkweed grows in open areas with full sun such as shortgrass prairie, sandstone rocks, and pinyon-pine woodlands. Growing from 1 to 2.5 inches tall, it is the shortest milkweed in Texas. In the spring (March to June), the rose-purple to pink flowers bloom. The flowers are noted for their fragrance (Decker 2006).
In a garden setting, wheel milkweed is hardy in zones 6-8. This species is rare in all of the states where it is found and is not in cultivation.
33. Red-Ring Milkweed (Asclepias variegata), a Texas Milkweed for Dry Soils
Red-Ring Milkweed (Asclepias variegata): This Texas milkweed is native mostly to the eastern part of the state and two counties in the central (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, red-ring milkweed grows in thickets, open woods and roadsides that are dry and rocky/sandy. Growing from 1 to 4 feet tall, it has white flowers with a purple or red ring at the base that bloom from May to July.
In a garden setting, red-ring milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9. Seeds of red-ring milkweed can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
34. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), a Texas Milkweed for Medium to Dry Soil
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata): This Texas milkweed is native mainly in the eastern counties of the state with scattered locations elsewhere (Kartesz 2015). Whorled milkweed has green to white flowers that bloom from May to September. In the wild, like a lot of other milkweeds, it grows in open areas such as meadows and fields, taking advantage of full sun.
In a garden setting, whorled milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9, requires full sun to part shade, and medium to dry soil. Seeds for this plant can be purchased at the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
35. Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora), a Texas Milkweed for Medium to Dry Sandy Soils
Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora): This Texas milkweed is native throughout the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, it grows in open areas such as meadows and fields having full sun. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it has flowers that start out green and age to become yellow and purple tinged that bloom from June to August.
In a garden setting, green comet milkweed is hardy in zones 3-9, requires full sun to part shade, and medium to dry sandy soil. Seeds for green comet milkweed can be purchased at the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
36. Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), A Texas Milkweed for Medium to Dry High pH Soils
Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis): This Texas milkweed is native to the eastern half of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, green milkweed grows in open areas such as glades, prairies, roadsides, and pastures where there is full sun. Growing from 0.5 to 2 feet tall, it has green, yellowish-green, or white flowers that bloom from April to October.
In a garden setting, green milkweed is hardy in zones 5-9 and requires medium to dry soils having a high pH. Seeds for green milkweed can be purchased at the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
Additional Texas Milkweed that is Adventive to the State
Adventive Species 1. Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias currasavica), A Texas Milkweed for Places of Disturbance
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias viridis): This Texas milkweed is adventive to the southeastern and southern counties of the state (Kartesz 2015). In the wild, tropical milkweed grows in places of disturbance such as roadsides, railroads, and fields, where there is full sun. Growing from 2 to 3 feet tall, it has orange, yellow or red flowers that bloom from June to October, but can bloom for longer periods in warmer locations.
In a garden setting, this milkweed is hardy in zones 8-11, requires full sun and well-suited to garden situations. This plant has been introduced to Texas mainly because of the brilliant flowers and it popularity with butterflies.
When selecting your Texas milkweed, be sure to make sure it grows in your zone and habitat.
References for Texas Milkweeds
- Decker, K. 2006. Asclepias uncialis Greene (wheel milkweed): a technical conservation assessment. US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region.
- Kartesz, J.T. The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. Taxonomic Data Center. Link to website. Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)]
- Singhurst, Jason and Ben Hutchins. 2015. Identification of the Milkweeds in Texas. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- Quillen, Ellen Schultz. 1922. 500 Wild Flowers of San Antonio and Vicinity. (San Antonio: self-published).
- Vail, Anna Murray. 1899. Studies in the Asclepiadaceae – IV. Notes on some old types, with descriptions of new or little known species. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 26: 423-431.
- Woodson, Robert E. 1954. The North American Species of Asclepias L. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 41: 1-211.
