About
Asclepias curassavica is a vertical, evergreen sub-shrub characterized by its elongated leaves and terminal clusters of orange-red blooms measuring around 2 cm in diameter, which appear during the summer and fall. These flowers may give way to upright, oval-shaped fruit that can reach lengths of 6 to 8 cm.
About the genus
Asclepias consists of either evergreen or deciduous perennials and subshrubs. They feature simple, entire leaves and bear clusters of small flowers that have a unique shape, arranged in an umbel formation. After flowering, they produce paired fruits that contain seeds enveloped in silky fibers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow outdoors in fertile well-drained loamy soil in full sun in frost-free area. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost. Reduce watering after flowering and keep almost dry in the winter
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, division or basal cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free