Green Milkweed Plant Care
Asclepias viridis Walter
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asclepias viridis is a species of milkweed, a plant in the dogbane family known by the common names green milkweed, green antelopehorn and spider milkweed. The Latin word viridis means green.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Green Milkweed?
Water Green Milkweed 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 Green Milkweed Native To?
What Is the Green Milkweed?
Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Asclepias genus. Green Milkweed is native to the midwestern, south central and southeastern United States, as well as to the southeastern portion of the western United States. Green Milkweed is also known as Green Butterfly Weed.
Green Milkweed displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Green Milkweed produces clusters of small, colorful flowers in shades of pink, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Green Milkweed?
Asclepias viridis 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 Green Milkweed Need?
Green Milkweed thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Green Milkweed Prefer?
Asclepias viridis grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Green Milkweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Green Milkweed?
Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Green Milkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Green Milkweed?
Feed Green Milkweed 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 Green Milkweed?
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 Green Milkweed?
Green Milkweed can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tropical milkweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Green Milkweed 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 Green Milkweed?
Green Milkweed 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 Green Milkweed Need?
Green Milkweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Green Milkweed is native to the midwestern, south central and southeastern United States, as well as to the southeastern portion of the western United States. In cooler regions, grow Green Milkweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Green Milkweed 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.
Green Milkweed 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 viridis Walter, family Apocynaceae (first published in Fl. Carol. : 107 (1788)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Green Milkweed 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Green Milkweed Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species