Milkweed-Sandhill Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata) (Florida Native)

Milkweed- Sandhill

Asclepias humistrata

Sandhill or Pinewoods Milkweed is a perennial plant native to the southeastern US, from LA down to FL, and up to southern NC. It grows in spreading clusters which ascend 1-1 1/2 ft. Leaves of A. humistrata are large and thick, dull grayish-green with conspicuous pink to lavender veins. The leaf color can darken to almost dark redish purple depending on the age of the plant, stage of emerging and amount of sunlight. The first time I ever saw one, it reminded me of a croton (city folk) Flowers range from whitish to purplish/lavender and are some of the first to emerge in its native range. Sandhill Milkweed likes full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It needs well drained, sandy soil. In the wild you'll usually find it growing next to saw palmetto and native cactus. It is an extremely slow grower with a very large tap root . It is best to buy this one when it is young and get them in its place of establishment as soon as possible .

 All milkweeds are host plants to the Monarch Butterfly, as well as the Queen and Soldier Butterfly, but many other Butterflies and insects use it as a nectar source. Sandhill milkweed needs regular watering throughout it's early days, but is extremely drought tolerant once established. Direct sow in the Fall to let the seeds over-winter for a Spring and Summer bloom. If planting seeds in the Spring or Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification.