Prairie Milkweed Seeds | Pollinator Conservation Flower Seeds for Bees & Butterflies

1 Pack 20 Seeds

How to Grow Prairie Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias sullivantii):
Prairie Milkweed is a hardy perennial that’s easy from seed as long as you give it a cold period. The simplest method is direct sowing outdoors in late fall or winter—spread seeds on bare soil, press them in lightly, and let natural winter chill break dormancy. If you’re starting in spring, cold-stratify first: place seeds in a slightly damp paper towel or sand in a sealed bag in the fridge for about 4–8 weeks, then sow. Plant seeds very shallow (on the surface or covered no more than about 0.5 cm / ¼ in), since milkweed seeds sprout best near the top of the soil. Keep the soil evenly moist until germination, which may take 1–3 weeks once temperatures warm. Choose a full-sun location and medium-moist to moist, well-drained soil; prairie milkweed naturally grows in wet prairies and meadows, so it appreciates consistent moisture but not standing water. Space seedlings about 30–60 cm (12–24 in) apart and avoid disturbing roots later because it forms a deep taproot.

How to Care for Prairie Milkweed:
Water regularly during the first growing season so the taproot establishes; after that, it’s fairly tolerant but still performs best with steady moisture, especially in hot spells. Mulch lightly to keep soil cool and reduce drying, but don’t smother the crown. Fertilizer is usually unnecessary—too much nitrogen makes it tall and floppy with fewer flowers—so a thin top-dress of compost in spring is plenty. Expect fragrant pink flower clusters in summer; leave some pods if you want self-seeding, or remove pods before they split if you don’t want volunteers. The plant is low-pest overall, though aphids can appear; a strong water spray or gentle soap usually handles them. Like all milkweeds, it has milky sap that can irritate skin and is toxic if eaten in quantity, so wear gloves when pruning and keep seeds away from kids and pets. In winter, let stems stand for habitat or cut back after frost; new shoots will return in spring and flowering improves as the clump matures.

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