Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) Seed Packet
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) Seed Packet
Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).
Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:
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Accurate Planting:
- PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.
- This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.
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Cost-Effectiveness:
- By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
- This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
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Weed Control:
- PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
- This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
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Ecological Restoration:
- Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
- It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.
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If you're looking to bring songbirds, wild pollinators, and butterflies into your landscape, Asclepias tuberosa is a standout choice. Landscapers and home gardeners value it for its strong natural deer resistance, excellent drought tolerance once rooted, deep root architecture that helps prevent soil erosion, and a high floristic C-value rating of 8.0 (a top choice for habitat restoration). It performs best in full sun sunlight and dry soil conditions, making it ideal for prairie borders, rain gardens, or meadow plantings. To fit projects of any scale, we supply this species in flexible formats—including live plugs, bare-root stock, individual seed packets, and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by weight.
Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications
| Botanical Name | Asclepias tuberosa |
| Plant Family | Apocynaceae (Dogbane / Milkweed Family) |
| Regional Native Status | Native |
| Native Range (States) | AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV |
| Primary Native Habitats | Dry-Mesic Prairies, Sand Prairies, Oak Savannas, Hill Prairies |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | Zone 3 - 8 |
| Sunlight Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Moisture Range | Dry |
| Soil pH Range | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| Height at Maturity | 2 or Less |
| Spread & Growth Habit | Clumping (Multiple Stem) |
| Root Architecture & Depth | Deep Taproot System (18+ Depth) |
| Deer & Wildlife Resistance | High (Rarely Browsed) |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Salt Tolerance | Low to Moderate |
| Larval Host Status | Danaus plexippus (Monarch Butterfly) |
| Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support | Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis), Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus) |
| Ecological Function | High Drought & Heat Resilience, Erosion Control on Dry Slopes & Kames, Early/Late Pollinator Forage Hub, Root Biomass & Soil Structure Improvement |
| Coefficient of Conservatism (C-Value) | 8.0 |
| Germination Code / Stratification | A |
| ACOE Wetland Indicator Status | FACU |
| Recommended Plug Spacing | 18 to 24 on-center |
| Plant Associates | Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (Side-Oats Grama), Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover), Liatris aspera (Rough Blazing Star), Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant), Coreopsis palmata (Prairie Coreopsis) |
| Seed Packet Coverage | Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft. |
| Seeds Per Pound | 70000.0 |
| Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) | 4.00 – 7.00 lbs/acre PLS |
| Drill Seeding Rate (PLS) | 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS |
| Recommended Cover Crop | Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac) |
| Toxicity & Pet Safety | Moderate (Contains cardiac glycosides & bitter latex sap; repellent to pets & deer) |
Seed
Shipping & Care
Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.
Questions & Answers
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