Annual Milkweed Asclepias curassavica

Tropical Milkweed is a tender erect perennial often grown as an annual. It can be weedy in disturbed areas and is frequently found naturalized in waste places, roadsides, or fields. 

Its bright orange-red flowers form in clusters on top of the leaves and stems that have a milky juice when damaged.  Blooming from spring to fall in temperate climates.  Plant it in the full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soil.  It will reach a height of 3 feet and a spread of 2 feet.

Although milkweed is an important food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus), this plant isn't recommended for attracting Monarch Butterflies because they can bloom out of sync with Monarch migration patterns and hold them too long in one area, affecting their populations.  Plant one of the native milkweeds instead.  In addition to the Monarch, the larvae of the Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes Egle) feed on this plant.

It will remain as an evergreen to Zone 9b.  The long tap root makes it difficult to transplant when mature.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids are a common insect.  They tend to colonize on the plant, which can lead to sooty mold.  Spraying the leaves with a forceful stream of water, such as from a hose, will help wash the aphids off.  

Ophryocystis elektroscirrha a monarch parasite can occur on this plant in locations where this plant does not die back in the winter months.  This protozoan parasite can be left on the leaves of a plant by visiting monarchs.  As the caterpillars eat the leaves, they also ingest the parasite.  This can lead to a shortened lifespan, lower body mass and their flight ability.  Cutting the plant down will help to remediate this issue but the best course of action is to plant one of the native milkweed (found in the left hand column) instead.