Asclepias hirtella Plant Care
Asclepias hirtella (Pennell) Woodson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asclepias hirtella, commonly called the tall green milkweed, is a species of flowering plant in the milkweed genus and dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native to Canada and the United States, where its range is concentrated in the Midwest and Upper South.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Asclepias hirtella?
Water Asclepias hirtella every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Asclepias hirtella Native To?
What Is the Asclepias hirtella?
Asclepias hirtella (Asclepias hirtella) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Asclepias genus. Asclepias hirtella is native to Canada and the United States.
Asclepias hirtella displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Asclepias hirtella produces clusters of small, colorful flowers in shades of pink, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Asclepias hirtella?
Asclepias hirtella requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Asclepias hirtella Need?
Asclepias hirtella thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Asclepias hirtella Prefer?
Asclepias hirtella grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Asclepias hirtella prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Asclepias hirtella?
Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Asclepias hirtella to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Asclepias hirtella?
Feed Asclepias hirtella every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Asclepias hirtella?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Asclepias hirtella?
Asclepias hirtella can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tropical milkweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Asclepias hirtella Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Asclepias hirtella?
Asclepias hirtella is susceptible to aphids, milkweed bugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Asclepias hirtella Need?
Asclepias hirtella grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Asclepias hirtella is native to Canada and the United States. In cooler regions, grow Asclepias hirtella as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Asclepias hirtella is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Asclepias genus — compare its care with other Asclepias species on PlantoScan.
Asclepias is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Asclepias hirtella thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Asclepias Species
Other Asclepias species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Asclepias hirtella (Pennell) Woodson, family Apocynaceae (first published in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 28: 207 (1941)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Asclepias hirtella is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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