Milkweed Plant Facts That Will Make You Appreciate Nature!

Milkweed is an herbaceous flowering plant that can be found across the regions of the North and South of the United States.

There are about 140 species of this plant. Swamp milkweed and common milkweed are some of them, among various others.

One of the most interesting facts about this plant is that it does not require much watering, as it can thrive on dry soil. Furthermore, you do not need to add any fertilizer to your milkweed plant. The flower of this plant is pink or purple in color and can be found in clusters at the tip of the plant. They can be great for your garden, and they do not require much maintenance. Most of the species of insects are dependent on this plant, for their daily source of food, the monarch butterfly is one of them. The leaves of this plant are oval in shape. The upper side of the leaves is generally darker in color than the lower side. One of the many reasons why this particular plant is so popular is because of its healing properties. The milkweed plant has been used to cure various kinds of heart diseases. However, there are certain do's and don'ts you need to follow if you wish to grow one in your garden.

Classification Of The Milkweed Plant

Milkweed is a species of herbaceous flowering plant that can be found across the regions of Southern Canada, and the North and South regions of the United States. Milkweed belongs to the genus Asclepias.

There are 140 species of milkweed, like common milkweed, whorled milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly weed among various others. Milkweed is known to be the host plant of the monarch butterfly. The milky sap of the milkweed contains various healing properties that are used to cure heart diseases. The monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of the milkweed plants. After reaching the larvae stage, the monarch caterpillar or the monarch larvae feeds on the leaf of the plant. You can see this species of plants on the sides of roads, or fields and pastures. However much of the milkweed habitat is now getting lost because of humans.

Physical Features Of The Milkweed Plant

Found across the various parts of North and South America, milkweeds are the perfect plants to brighten up your garden. Not just that, many species of insects, other than the monarch butterflies are dependent on the flowers, and leaves of these plants, as well as the milkweed sap for their daily source of food.

The total length of milkweeds is typically 5 ft (1.5 m) tall. The dark green leaves of these plants are oval in shape and can grow 4-8 in (10-20 cm). The flowers of milkweeds can be found in clusters at the top of the plant. Individual flowers are typically 0.4-0.7 in (1-1.77 cm) length, and the flower color may range from pink to purple. An interesting fact about the leaf of this species is that the underside of the leaves of milkweeds is much lighter in color than the upperside. Milkweeds also bear fruits, which are light green in color and fully loaded with seeds. Common milkweed and butterfly weed are some of the species of this plant, among various others.

Care Of The Milkweed Plant

As mentioned earlier, milkweed is the host plant of the monarch butterfly. The flowers and the leaves are also a great source of food for various other species of insects.

Milkweed plants can be a great addition to your garden. However, you need to keep a few things in mind. Milkweed typically does not need much watering, as it can thrive on dry soil too. You do not need any fertilizer added to your plant, as it can grow well without them.

FAQs

Q: What is milkweed good for?

A: Milkweed is used to treat various kinds of heart diseases.

Q: Why is planting milkweed illegal?

A: As mentioned earlier, monarch butterflies are solely dependent on this weedy species of plants for their daily source of food. Therefore, growing milkweed at coasts can particularly harm these butterflies. You can instead grow other nectar plants.

Q: Is milkweed poisonous?

A: Yes, milkweed is poisonous. The milky sap of these plants especially contains various poisonous elements.

Q: What does a milkweed plant look like?

A: The flowers of this plant are typically pink or purple in color. The total height of milkweed is not more than 5 ft (1.5 m).

Q: When does milkweed bloom?

A: The months of June and August are the main blooming season of this nectar plant.

Q: What are milkweed plants?

A: Milkweed is a type of herbaceous flowering plant, that belongs to the genus Asclepias.

Q: Where do milkweed plants grow?

A: You can find these plants on any roadside, field, or pasture.

Q: How does common milkweed spread?

A: Milkweeds grow much faster because of their underground roots, called rhizomes.

Q: Where on the milkweed plant do the pods form?

A: After flowering, large seed pods are formed on the body of the plants.

Q: How often should you water a milkweed plant?

A: Milkweed does not require much water to survive. To keep your plant healthy, you can water your plants just once every morning.