Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii)
ah-SKLEE-pee-us sul-ih-VAN-tee-

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Apocynaceae Family

Prairie Milkweed, or Sullivant's Milkweed, is a native perennial that looks much like Common Milkweed but is smoother and less rambunctious. It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall from a deep taproot and spreading rhizomes, with thick, leathery, opposite leaves that curve upward and carry reddish midveins. In June through August, rounded clusters of very fragrant pink-to-purple flowers open from the leaf axils, drawing hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its seed pods are smoother than Common Milkweed's warty ones, and while it can spread by rhizome in rich, well-watered soil, it's generally considered the better-behaved of the two for garden use. It's native to central-US and Ontario prairies and moist meadows, and like other milkweeds, it's an essential host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Pros

  • Very fragrant pink-to-purple flower clusters that draw hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
  • Important host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars
  • Deep taproot makes it drought tolerant once established
  • Less aggressive spreader than Common Milkweed, with smoother, less conspicuous seed pods

Cons

  • Sap and all plant parts are toxic if ingested, and can irritate skin or eyes
  • Deep taproot makes it resent transplanting once established
  • Can still spread by rhizome in rich, well-watered soil, so give it room
Why Like

Prairie Milkweed was once common across tallgrass prairie but is now largely restricted to the remaining mesic prairie remnants, as most of its historic habitat has been converted to agriculture. Like other native milkweeds, it's an essential host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a major nectar source for native bees and hummingbirds — planting the true species helps support both the prairie ecosystem and the pollinators that depend on it.
Highlights

A refined alternative to Common Milkweed, with larger, more fragrant flower clusters and a noticeably smoother, tidier habit — smooth seed pods, hairless leaves, and less aggressive spread.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Prefers medium to medium-wet conditions; the deep taproot brings some drought tolerance once established, but this species is happier with more consistent moisture than Purple Milkweed.
Zones 3a - 7b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rocky Soil, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Shallow Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period June to August
Flower Color Pink To Purple
Foliage Color Green
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 09/21
2023 : 04/13 - 08/27

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

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