Hudson Valley Seed Co.

Milkweed

Name: Milkweed
Rating: 3.40 (5 reviews)

Asclepias syriaca

Conventionally Grown

Help ease the threat placed on Monarch populations.

Monarch butterflies, with their strikingly streaked caterpillars, gold-foiled chrysalises, and tiger-striped wing patterns, are one of the most beloved of all butterflies. We humans flock to witness monarch migrations, but we are also responsible for their decline. Loss of habitat and exposure to pesticides threaten monarch populations from Canada to Mexico. Grow Milkweed, the monarch caterpillar's host plant, to create a monarch sanctuary in your own backyard. Create a companion planting of Butterfly Weed for very happy butterflies.

Cold Stratification Required - See Growing Instructions for details.

Unit	Price	Quantity	Availability
50 seeds \| Art Pack	$5.79		In Stock

Price as selected: $0.00

Ships within 2-3 business days

Growing instructions

Cold stratification required: direct sow in fall or early winter into a clean, prepared bed. Or, for spring sowing, sow in deep seed-starting pots about 1/4" deep, in rich, damp soil. Cover and refrigerate for 3 weeks. Afterwards, move to a 50 to 75-degree, well-lit spot for germination. Germination can take up to 14 days. Transplant outdoors after frost in an area that can remain a milkweed patch for years.

Please note: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is native to much of the eastern and mid continental U.S.A and most areas east of the Rocky Mountains. If you live outside of these areas, please do not buy or plant Asclepias syriaca.

Before planting any milkweed, it's always a wise idea to reference monarchwatch.org or the Xerces Society for more information on milkweed species that are native to your specific area.

Product Details

Days to Maturity	80 days from transplant365 days
Days to Germination	21 days
Height at Maturity	up to 36"
Hardiness Zone Range	3 4 5 6 7
Sun Conditions	Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun)
Planting Depth	1/4"
Row Spacing	12"
Plant Spacing	12"

About the artist

Artwork by Nancy Blum. Nancy's intricately-rendered botanicals reveal layers of meaning about the power of plants. Composed of ink, gouache, and colored pencil, Nancy's ghostly monarch alludes to what we stand to lose without this habitat plant.

5 stars: 3 (60%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 2 (40%)

Fast shipping. The seeds looks good.

Planted outside in the fall for cold stratification but no seedlings appeared in the spring.

Hi Caitlin, We are so sorry you did not have success with the Milkweed seeds germinating. Planting outside or direct seeding outside comes with variables that may impact germination. We'd be happy to send you a new pack to try again. Cold stratification can be done in the fridge for more control. I like to sow into pots of moist soil then place in a food storage bag to keep the fridge clean. Hardy perennial (our native) milkweeds want 21 days stratification in those conditions to germinate. We will reach out via email to get you those replacements.

None of the seeds purchased popped through the soil. Following the packet instructions, I had them in a seedling tray, with heating mat (set on 72) and grow-lites on for half the day and not so much as a crack in the soil. Very disappointed. Don’t think I will order again.

Thank you so much for ordering our Milkweed!
Milkweed is one of the varieties that requires a long period of cold stratification which helps to breakdown the protective coating on the seed and allows it to germinate. We would recommending still planting out your seeded pots as the seed are likely viable and will potentially come up after the next winter.

We are also reaching out privately to resolve your germination issue.

So pretty.

After a long, cold wait -- life!
I followed the cold stratification directions on the packet, but was holding my breath after I removed the tray of seeds from the fridge weeks later. Fortunately, the sprouts have been popping their heads out from each cell over the past few days. Even though the plants might not flower until next year, it's so worth the wait! I'm trying to make my modest garden friendly to birds and insects, and milkweed is a crucial addition to the scheme.