Pink Swamp Milkweed Seeds. Asclepias incarnata
These showy, pink flowers give off a sweet scent similar to cinnamon or vanilla. Attractive to butterflies, this variety flourishes in swamps or along streams, so it is a great option for a butterfly plant in a wet setting. Swamp milkweed plants are a staple of many wetland plantings. Pink Swamp Milkweed, also known as Asclepias incarnata, is a perennial plant that thrives in moist soil and is a vital host for monarch butterflies. It features showy pink flowers and can be grown from seeds, which should be sown in late fall or stratified in spring for best results.
Common Names: Rose Milkweed, Red Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed, White Indian Hemp
Latin Name: Asclepias incarnata
Species Origin: US Native Wildflower
Type: Native Wildflowers
Life Cycle: Perennial
USDA Zones: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
US Regions: Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 5,200
Stratification: Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks
Germination Ease: Stratify 4 Weeks
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Plant Height: 36"-60"
Plant Spacing: 18 - 36"
Color: Pink
Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer
Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant
Sowing: In late fall, plant the swamp milkweed seeds just beneath the surface. They'll start to germinate in spring, after the last frost. Once the seedlings pop up, thin them out to keep only the strongest one; they usually don't handle being transplanted well because they dislike having their roots disturbed. If you're planting in spring, mix the seeds with some moist sand and chill them in the fridge for 30 days before sowing them directly.
Growing: This plant doesn't do well in dry conditions, so you might need to water it to keep the soil nice and moist. The flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies, but they also keep deer away. To help this plant thrive, make sure to keep competing weeds at bay.
Harvesting: This plant makes for a beautiful cut flower. When you cut the stems, go for long ones and pick flowers that have just opened up. Just a heads up, the milky sap can be mildly toxic and might irritate your skin.
Seed Saving: After the flowering is done, you'll see 3-4" narrow pods forming. Make sure to pick the pods before they burst open and let the silky fluff carry the seeds away. Once the seeds inside turn a mature brown color, take the pods off and lay them out to dry. Open the pods and remove the silky seed material, then get rid of the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry spot.
