Milkweed Plant Care

Funastrum angustissimum (Andersson) E.Fourn.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Funastrum angustissimum, synonym Sarcostemma angustissima, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands.

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Light

Bright indirect light

At a glance

How do you care for Milkweed?

Milkweed grows best in bright indirect light. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

What Is the Milkweed?

Milkweed (Funastrum angustissimum) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Funastrum genus. Milkweed is native to the Galápagos Islands.

Milkweed displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Milkweed produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.

What Light Does the Milkweed Need?

Milkweed thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Milkweed in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Milkweed?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Milkweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Do You Repot a Milkweed?

Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Milkweed?

Milkweed can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to milkweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the 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 Milkweed?

Milkweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. 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.

Keep exploring plants

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 Funastrum genus — compare its care with other Funastrum species on PlantoScan.

Funastrum is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.

Milkweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Funastrum angustissimum (Andersson) E.Fourn., family Apocynaceae (first published in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 6, 14: 388 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: 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.
  • 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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