Asclepias fascicularis

narrowleaf milkweed
Flowering perennial with thin, erect stems and distinctive long pointed narrow leaves. Grows fast to 3ft. Blooms in clusters of white to pale pink/lavender flowers.
synonyms Asclepias macrophylla
height 1–3ft
width 1–3ft
tolerates Cold, Drought, Heat, Neglect
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 Deep and infrequent for the first season, then minimal watering once established.
hardy
to		 0F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Low Needs
origin Western US
california
native		 Yes
sunset
zones		 3–11, 14–H1

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Thrives in full sun, tolerates most soils (including saline), and is best in well-drained settings. Fertilizing can produce overly-weak growth.

Special Interest

Narrowleaf milkweed is a perennial California native plant that is considered the single most important host plant for the monarch butterflies it will attract into your garden.

More Info

To support monarch butterflies their annual cycle of migration and reproduction, avoid planting milkweed within a mile of monarch overwintering areas in Southern California, and within five miles of them in coastal Central and Northern California. Overwintering areas are confined to coastal, bayside, and some coastal valley locations in California.
Asclepias fascicularis occurs in Northern California away from the immediate coast; in Central and Southern California it occurs on the coast, coastal valley, mountains, and Channel Islands but not in the low desert or most of the Mojave Desert. Its ranges from the inland Pacific Northwest to the Great Basin and northern Baja California, as well.