Showy Milkweed Seeds

Showy milkweed has beautiful pink spiked flowers and attracts monarch butterflies. Butterfly lovers enjoy this plant’s beauty and display in the garden despite its difficulty to grow. This species of milkweed has a naturally low germination rate. We recommend planting twice as much as you need. This plant thrives in disturbed areas near ample moisture.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Showy milkweed is a perennial flower native to much of central and western North America. Plant seeds during the cool season of Zones 9 and 10. Flowers bloom in the summer but may not bloom until the second year.

Zones 2-8

• Plant in the spring after the danger of frost is gone.

Planting Milkweed Seeds

• Direct seed or transplant. Showy milkweed has a naturally low germination rate. We recommend planting twice as much as you need. Cold treatment may improve seed germination rates.
• To direct sow, plant seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered. Cover with 1/8″ of finely sifted soil. 
• If you are planting seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on top of the soil and cover with 1/8″ of finely sifted soil. 
• Plant in a full sun location. Space plants at least 9″ apart. Plants grow 3-4″ tall. Note that underground rhizomes spread showy milkweed plants; select your planting site accordingly.

Growing Milkweed

• Showy milkweed plants are drought tolerant and require little care once they are established. 
• Mulching heavily around your plants will help with weed suppression and moisture retention.
• Be sure to plant enough showy milkweed to sustain the monarchs! Monarch butterflies lay eggs on the plant in early spring. Once hatched, the caterpillars consume huge portions of milkweed as they prepare for adulthood.

Growing Milkweed in Containers

• Showy milkweed does best when planted in-ground. After dying back in winter, potted plants do not re-emerge in spring, as do in-ground plants. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture.  

Harvesting Milkweed Flowers

• Allow milkweed to stay in the garden! It is loved by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is most commonly grown as a native host plant for monarch butterflies. Showy milkweed will naturally die back in the winter to re-emerge in spring.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Showy milkweed is a California native plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and does well in most types of dry to moist soils, even clay. This milkweed will naturally die back in the winter to re-emerge in spring.
• Support the monarch population by planting showy milkweed!

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Showy milkweed is a wonderful addition to pollinator gardens. We suggest planting with other native, drought-tolerant flowers like California Bluebell, Desert Bee Plant, Golden Yarrow, Blue Sage, Scarlet Sage, or those found in our Southwest Wildflower and Butterfly Garden mixes.

Additional Learning Resources

• Showy Milkweed USDA Plant Guide.
• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information on garden pests at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.

If you are looking to attract pollinators to your garden check out our Narrowleaf Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Butterfly mix, and Southwest Mix!