Scientific Name: Asclepias subulata Decne.
Family: Asclepiadaceae
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Recommended Temperature Zone: Sunset®: 11-13 USDA: 9-11 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 20°F (-6°C) Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun, tolerates reflected heat Origin: Sonoran desert: USA (California, Nevada, Arizona) and Mexico (Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa) along desert washes, below 3000 feet elevation (900 m) Growth Habits: Evergreen, small to medium shrub, 2 to 5 feet tall (0.6-1.5 m), 4 feet spread (1.2 m), 3 feet wide; gray green, generally leafless, stems, containing a milky sap; short-lived linear stems, up to 2 inches long (5 cm) Watering Needs: Little to no water when established, needs good drainage Propagation: Easy by seeds |
The leaves of the desert milkweed do not last very long, and the clusters of greyish-green stems are the most characteristic appearance of this plant. It is a good plant for the sides of a swimming pool.
The desert milkweed is an important food source for the monarch butterflies.
Blooming Habits:
Clusters of yellowish or cream flowers in spring to fall. They are followed by a follicle that opens when mature, releasing large quantities of seeds attached to long silky hairs.
Culture:
The desert milkweed is sensitive to aphids.
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