About
Asclepias tuberosa is a perennial plant characterized by its tuberous roots and hairy stems. It produces clusters of orange-red flowers, which may also appear in shades of orange or yellow, from midsummer to early autumn. After flowering, it develops fruit.
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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- North America, Mexico
- 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. Attractive to bees and ideal for a border or wildflower garden
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, propagate by division or root basal cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free