Common Name: Whorled Milkweed

Latin Name: Aclepias verticillata

Height: 1-3 feet tall

Duration: Perennial

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: May through September

Water Use: Low

Soil: Dry Soil (Sandy, clayey or rocky soil types)

Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade

Spreads via rhizomes and seeds

Host Plant:  Whorled Milkweed is a host plant to the caterpillar of the Monarch Butterfly.  Milkweeds are required for monarchs to live.  The milkweed tussock and unexpected cyncia moths will also use this as a host plant.  Also host to milkweed bugs and beetles.

Pollinators: this plant will also attract long-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles.

Other Information: Foliage is both bitter and toxic, so it is usually not eaten by deer or rabbits. All milkweed will have aphids - this is not a problem. Natural predators like lacewings and ladybugs will hunt these pests, there is no need for pesticides, soaps, or spraying the plant with water. These practices will harm the beneficial insects that need the milkweed to survive.