White milkweed is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Apocynaceae family. The species name describes the bicolored flowers, which are quite showy in masses. The white milkweed thrives in open upland forests and woodland edge habitats, sandy open ground, ravine bottoms, low woods, slopes, ridges, and roadsides. Plant in full sun to light shade in dry clay, loam, or rocky soil. This low-maintenance plant reaches a mature size of 1 to 3 feet tall and wide. The most rapid growth and development of this plant occurs during the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin and pale underside. Small, white flowers dotted with purple in the center form a large, round, showy cluster that blooms in May-July. One or two large wart-like pods with fluffy wind-dispersed seeds mature in the late summer. It does best in dry or rocky woods. This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer. Consider planting in masses to showcase the flowers that attract butterflies including monarchs and other pollinators like bees. This native is at home in a woodland garden, meadow, or naturalized area. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 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
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Simple, opposite and attachment is petiolate. Leaves are oval, 2–6 in (5-15 cm) long and ½ -3 in (1-7 ½ cm) wide, generally thick with the upper side hairless and dark and the underside a lighter color with hair.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower detail
May-September, long lasting white with some purple at the base of corolla which flex backward. Umbels are erect and spherical with 30 flowers. Flower blooms from May to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit detail
Dehiscent seed pods stand erect and are a brown to reddish color. Late summer.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Single stems that are thin, narrow and purple-green. Crushing reveals the milky sap typical of most milkweeds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE. Canada to Central & E. U.S.A.
Distribution
Eastern North America
Wildlife value
The copious amount of nectar in the showy flowers attracts butterflies including Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies, skippers, and possibly moths. Other likely floral visitors include various long-tongued bees and wasps. White milkweed is not an important food plant for Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) caterpillars. The bitter white sap of the foliage contains toxic cardiac glycosides, so it is avoided by mammalian herbivores. Very attractive to honey bees, native bees, and bumble bees.
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Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Milkweed Bug; Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Rabbits
Propagation
Seed
Fire risk
medium flammability
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
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.