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Desert Milkweed

Asclepias erosa

1 gallon

Desert Milkweed

Out of stock

3'x2'

Sizes:

Desert Milkweed – Asclepias erosa

Many people refer to Asclepias subulata (Rush Milkweed) simply as "desert milkweed." However, the accepted common name Desert Milkweed refers to Asclepias erosa. Using the accepted common names helps ensure you're researching, purchasing, and planting the species you intend.

Both A. erosa and A. subulata are native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where they naturally occur throughout desert regions.

In the low desert, A. erosa typically emerges in late winter or early spring, blooms from late spring into early summer, and becomes dormant during the coldest part of the year, typically December and January. In the high desert, Desert Milkweed is an important host plant for Monarchs, Queens, and other milkweed specialists. In the low desert, it is best planted alongside Asclepias subulata, where the two species complement one another by increasing plant diversity and providing season-long resources for pollinators and other wildlife.

This upright perennial produces clusters of creamy white to pale yellow flowers above broad, blue-green leaves, giving it the more traditional milkweed appearance that many people are familiar with. It thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy or rocky soils and is well adapted to hot, arid desert conditions.

Like other milkweeds, Desert Milkweed produces a milky latex rich in cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring defensive compounds that help protect the plant from herbivores. Historically, some Indigenous peoples processed the hardened latex by roasting it into a solid form that could be chewed like gum.

The flowers support a diverse community of native pollinators, including bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and beetles.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Queen (Danaus gilippus)
Nectar Source: Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Queen (Danaus gilippus); Tarantula Hawk Wasps (Pepsis spp.); Predatory Wasps; Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus); Swallowtails (Papilio spp.)
Bird Resources: Nectar; Insects; Caterpillars; Seeds
Bird Species: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna); Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)
Bees: Native Bees; Sweat Bees; European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
Other Wildlife: Milkweed Bugs; Milkweed Longhorn Beetles; Green Lacewings; Assassin Bugs; Crab Spiders; Jumping Spiders

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Shade

Mature size:

3'x2'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Creamy Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Summer; Fall

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

5 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.