Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica)
Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica).
This plant has several common names including: bloodflower, bastard ipecacuanha, bastard pecacuanha, blood flower, Indian root, matac, matal, red head, swallow wort or wild ipecacuanha.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: bloodflower, bastard ipecacuanha, bastard pecacuanha, blood flower, Indian root, matac, matal, red head, swallow wort, wild ipecacuanha
Scientific name: Asclepias curassavica
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden, Sub-tropical
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) – Renjusplace, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Asclepias to consider:
See all Asclepias
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Asclepias curassavica likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica) – Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
