Narrow-leaf Milkweed is a perennial herb native to the west coast of North America from Washington to Baja California. It grows in colonies in winter-wet but summer-dry areas. The plant has narrow green leaves and produces small pink-cream colored flowers from May to September. It is well-suited for butterfly gardens and attracts bees, beetles, and butterflies like the Monarch, which uses it as a host plant. Narrow-leaf Milkweed requires full sun to part shade and well-draining soil, and can be propagated from seed or divisions.

1. Narrow-leaf Milkweed – Asclepias fascicularis (as-KLEP-ee-us fas-SICK-you-LARE-us)
Family: Asclepiadiceae (Milkweed family)
Native to: West Coast from WA to Baja CA. Grows in colonies on plains, hills, and valleys, in winter
–wet but summer-dry areas.
Growth characteristics: Herbaceous perennial mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: to 3 ft.
Perennial herb from stout woody rootstock. Clump add new stems each year, so increases slowly in
diameter. Leaves light green, narrow-linear. Dies back to ground fall/winter.
Blooms/fruits: May-Sept. Small pink-crème flowers grow in showy “heads” above the foliage.
Uses in the garden: In mixed flower beds, where showy flowers can be appreciated. One of our
best butterfly plants, so often included in butterfly gardens. Does NOT do as well in pots. Plant was
used as a medicine plant and fiber source by Native Californians. All parts of plant are toxic if eaten.
Sensible substitute for: non-native Milkweeds
Attracts: Bees, Milkweed Beetles and butterflies (larval food source for Monarch butterfly)
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Best in well-drained, but tolerates clay soils; any pH is fine
Water Average needs in spring/summer – don’t over-water; tolerates some winter-spring
flooding
Fertilizer None needed
Other May benefit from mulching
Management: Cut back to ground in winter. Limiting water in summer will keep from becoming
invasive.
Propagation: from seed: collect pods when ripe (tan) but before they open. Plant fresh seeds in
fall in prepared beds. by divisions: divide in fall, at time of first rains. Be sure each piece of
rhizome has at least 1 bud. Irrigate until plants are established.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 20, 24, 25 1/18/15
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