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Host Plants

Flower cluster of velvetleaf milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa) in a wooded setting.

Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida and in Texas. This plant is a host to three butterflies, including the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). It can grow from 2 to 3 feet tall and has flowers that are greenish to white with tints of pink and maroon that bloom from April to August. It is hardy in zones 7-10.

Yellow flowers of savannah milkweed (Asclepias pedicellata).

Savannah Milkweed (Asclepias pedicellata), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

Savannah Milkweed (Asclepias pedicellata) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida. This plant is a host to three butterflies, including the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). It can grow from 0.5 to 1 foot tall and has flowers that are yellow to green in color that bloom from May to July. It is hardy in zones 7-10.

Flower cluster of Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia).

Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

Long-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in the mid-western and eastern United States and Canada, except for the northeast. This plant is a host to the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). It can grow from 1 to 2.5 feet tall and has flowers that are greenish-white with a purple tinge that bloom from April to July. It is hardy in zones 8-10.

Close-up of white flower cluster of Red-ring milkweed (Asclepias variegata).

Red-Ring Milkweed (Asclepias variegata), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

Red-Ring Milkweed (Asclepias variegata) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in the mid-western and eastern United States. This plant is a host to the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). It can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and has flowers that are white with a purple to red ring at the base that bloom from May to July. It is hardy in zones 3-9.

White flowers of four-leaf milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) in a wooded setting.

Four-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

Four-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in the mid-western and eastern United States. This plant is a host to the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). It can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and has flowers that are pink to white (cream) that bloom from April to July. It is hardy in zones 5-8.

Plant of California milkweed (Asclepias californica).

California Milkweed (Asclepias californica), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections

California Milkweed (Asclepias californica) is a herbaceous perennial that is found in California and adjacent parts of Mexico. This plant is a host to the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). It can grow from 3 to 4 feet tall. The flowers have been described as lavender, pink, white, green, maroon, red, purple and violet and bloom from April to July. It is hardy in zones 7-10.

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