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Asclepias, Genus, exaltata, Species,

Genus & species

poke milkweed

Apocynaceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–7

Overview

Asclepias exaltata is an upright herbaceous perennial in the milkweed family, native to open woods, forest edges, and clearings across eastern North America. Unlike common milkweed of open fields, it grows in dappled shade, reaching 36-72 inches (90-180 cm) on a slender, usually unbranched stem. The broad, oval to elliptic leaves are 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, thin-textured, and tapered at both ends, set in opposite pairs. In early to midsummer it produces loose, drooping clusters of flowers that hang on long stalks. Each flower has reflexed petals in greenish-white to pale lavender above a paler crown, giving the cluster an open, airy look. Stems and leaves exude milky white sap when broken, containing cardiac glycosides that are toxic if eaten. Slender, upright seed pods follow and split to release flat seeds carried on silky hairs. The plant is a larval host and nectar source for monarch butterflies. It needs woodland shade and moisture and declines in hot, dry, fully exposed sites.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Minnesota south through the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia, in open deciduous woods, forest edges, and shaded clearings.

Suggested Uses

Used in woodland and shade native gardens, monarch and pollinator plantings in part shade, and naturalized forest edges. It is among the milkweeds that grow in shaded sites rather than open sun. The flowers feed bees and butterflies, and the foliage feeds monarch caterpillars.

How to Identify

Identify Asclepias exaltata by its tall, slender stem in woodland shade and its broad, thin, opposite leaves tapered at both ends. The flowers hang in loose, drooping clusters on long stalks, each greenish-white to pale lavender with reflexed petals. Broken stems release milky sap, and slender upright pods follow the flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Flowers: June–July

Summer

Flowering runs through early and midsummer, mainly June into July. The drooping clusters open greenish-white to pale lavender flowers that draw bees and butterflies. Slender seed pods then ripen and split to release silk-tufted seeds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish-white to pale lavender

Foliage Description

medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0 (Acidic to neutral)

3579

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to light shade on moist, humus-rich, well-drained woodland soils. It needs steady moisture and cooler, shaded ground, and declines in hot, dry, fully exposed positions. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 5.5 to 7.0 suits it. Propagation is by seed, which needs cold stratification, since the deep taproot makes division and transplanting difficult. The milky sap contains cardiac glycosides that are toxic if eaten by people or pets. It has few pests beyond the milkweed specialists such as aphids and tussock moths.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed. Stems can be cut to the ground in late fall, or the pods left standing for seed and winter interest. Removing pods before they split limits self-sown seedlings.

Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans

Related Asclepias species