Bastard ipecacuana

Asclepias curassavica

Also known as Asclepias curassavica f. kentingensis, Asclepias margaritacea, Euphorbia ipecacuanhae, Asclepias curassavica f. flaviflora

Tropical Plants · Native Plants · Milkweed · Monarch Butterfly · Pollinator · Tropical · Butterfly Host Plant · Hummingbird · Orange Flowers · Asclepias · Wildlife Garden · Naturalized

Asclepias curassavica, commonly called tropical milkweed or scarlet milkweed, is a vibrant perennial sub-shrub prized for its brilliant orange-and-red flowers and its critical role as a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. It grows vigorously in full sun with well-drained soil, requires minimal care once established, and blooms prolifically across warm months. In non-tropical climates, cut it back hard in late autumn or treat it as an annual to prevent disrupting monarch butterfly migr