Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a bog 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 Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).
This plant has several common names including: swamp milkweed or water nerveroot.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: swamp milkweed, water nerveroot
Scientific name: Asclepias incarnata
Plant type: Bogs, Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Poorly drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
Other types of Asclepias to consider:
See all Asclepias
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in clay, loam or sand.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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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.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Asclepias incarnata likes to grow in moist but well drained or humid or poorly drained soils.
Sunlight
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – peganum from Small Dole, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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