Green Milkweed

Green Milkweed

© Harlen E. and Altus Aschen

Asclepias viridis
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), also known as Green Antelopehorn, is a native milkweed species found throughout Southeast Texas. This hardy perennial is an essential host plant for monarch butterflies, providing both nectar for adult butterflies and foliage for caterpillars. Its unique greenish-white flowers bloom in spring and early summer, attracting a variety of pollinators.

• Scientific Name: Asclepias viridis
• Common Names: Green Milkweed, Green Antelopehorn
• Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
• Growth Habit: Herbaceous perennial
• Height: 1-2 feet
• Leaves: Broad, oval to lance-shaped, thick and slightly wavy
• Flowers: Greenish-white to pale yellow in rounded clusters
• Bloom Time: March – July in Southeast Texas
• Wildlife Benefits: Nectar source for butterflies and bees; host plant for monarch caterpillars

Habitat & Range in Southeast Texas

Green Milkweed is highly adaptable and thrives in various habitats, including:

• Prairies & Grasslands: Found in open fields and meadows
• Roadsides & Rights-of-Way: Commonly seen along highways and pastures

• Well-Drained Soils: Prefers sandy, loamy, or rocky soils but can tolerate clay

This species is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun with minimal maintenance.

Monarch caterpillar feeding on milkweed

Ecological Importance

• Monarch Butterfly Host Plant: Essential for the monarch lifecycle
• Pollinator Support: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects
• Soil Stabilization: Helps prevent erosion in prairie and grassland ecosystems

Landscaping & Gardening Uses

Green Milkweed is an excellent addition to pollinator gardens and native plant landscapes, offering beauty and ecological benefits.

Planting & Care

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Prefers well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• Maintenance: Minimal; cut back in late winter to encourage fresh growth
• Companion Plants: Pairs well with Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and Texas Coneflower (Rudbeckia texana)

Fun Facts

• Green Milkweed is one of the first milkweed species to emerge in spring, making it crucial for early monarch migration.
• Unlike some other milkweed species, it has broad leaves that provide substantial food for monarch caterpillars.
• The plant contains toxic compounds that help protect monarch caterpillars from predators.

Conservation & Native Plant Advocacy

Due to habitat loss, native milkweed populations are declining, which directly impacts monarch butterflies. Planting Green Milkweed supports monarch conservation efforts and helps restore prairie ecosystems.

Where to Find It