Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) Unity Grown

Asclepias verticillata, commonly referred to as whorled milkweed, is an upright, native perennial wildflower that is widely known as one of the vital host plants of monarch butterfly caterpillars, differentiated from other milkweeds by the whorled arrangement of its leaves around its singular main stem. Growing to between 12" and 30" tall, Asclepias verticillata is easy to grow and thrives in average to dry well-drained soil in areas with part to full sun. With a wide tolerance of poor soil compositions, whorled milkweed can be added to a variety of garden types, where its showy white flowers add interest to the landscape from late spring well into the summer months; though whorled milkweed differs from butterfly milkweed in terms of its flowers, both plants serve to attract monarch butterflies!

Asclepias verticillata's flowers not only attract monarch butterflies, but also hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators. Like other milkweeds, this plant produces a toxic, milky sap from damaged tissue, and this sap is toxic for cats, dogs and horses; care should be taken when choosing a planting site to avoid accidental ingestion by pets though its milky sap also makes it tolerant to deer and rabbit damage.