Asclepias lanuginosa Plant Care
Asclepias lanuginosa Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asclepias lanuginosa, the woolly milkweed or sidecluster milkweed, is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, native to central Canada and the upper Midwest United States. It was described in 1818.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Asclepias lanuginosa?
Water Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa Native To?
What Is the Asclepias lanuginosa?
Asclepias lanuginosa (Asclepias lanuginosa) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Asclepias genus. Asclepias lanuginosa is native to central Canada and the upper Midwest United States.
Asclepias lanuginosa displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa?
Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa Need?
Asclepias lanuginosa thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Asclepias lanuginosa Prefer?
Asclepias lanuginosa grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Asclepias lanuginosa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Asclepias lanuginosa?
Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Asclepias lanuginosa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Asclepias lanuginosa?
Feed Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa?
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 lanuginosa?
Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa?
Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa Need?
Asclepias lanuginosa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Asclepias lanuginosa is native to central Canada and the upper Midwest United States. In cooler regions, grow Asclepias lanuginosa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Asclepias lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa 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 lanuginosa Nutt., family Apocynaceae (first published in Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 1: 168 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Asclepias lanuginosa 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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