The common name, whorled milkweed, is derived from the whorls of 4 leaves appearing at the middle of the stem. Four-leaved milkweed also refers to the same leaves, but, in addition, the thick, milky substance or juice that oozes from the stems and leaves when broken. It can be found in disturbed areas as fields and along roadways. The plant grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade. Grow in moist to dry average well-drained garden soils. Custers of pink, lavender, or white flowers with pale pink corolla lobes and white hoods appear in spring to summer. The erect 5-parted fruit is dry and inflated, containing seeds with white hairs. Grow whorled milkweed in borders or groups of native, pollinator, drought-tolerant and rock gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant disease problems. Most common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae) are not problematic, but both large and small milkweed bugs can be very damaging to seed pods.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Whorls of 4 leaves at the middle of the stem. The upper leaves are paired. Leaves are thin, egg to lance-shaped and measure 2-6 in. long. The base of each leaf gradually narrows, or tapers.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Cup; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1-4 domed, umbrella-like clusters of pink, lavender, or white flowers with pale pink corolla lobes and white hoods.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The green fruit becomes dry and inflated, and with many hair-tufted seeds. They make a great addition to dried arrangements.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
A single stemmed, upright habit. The stems, which are flattened on one side, can often take on a purple tint. Longitudinal lines are glabrous or pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.
Distribution
AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV
Wildlife value
Nectar and larval host plant that attracts bees, butterflies (notably Monarchs), hummingbirds (milkweeds are a source of insects as well as nectar), moths (especially milkweed tussock moths and their larvae), pollinators, predatory Insects, and specialized bees.
Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.