When does Green Milkweed bloom?

Asclepias hirtella typically flowers from June through August, producing rounded clusters of small greenish-white blooms near the top of the stem.

What kind of light and water does Green Milkweed need?

This forb does best in full sun and tolerates medium to fairly dry soil, making it a good fit for open prairies, glades, and other well-drained sites.

What pollinators visit Green Milkweed?

Like other milkweeds, Asclepias hirtella attracts a range of bees, butterflies, and moths that feed on its nectar.

What growth habit does this plant have?

Green Milkweed is a perennial forb that grows in low, dense clumps of narrow leaves along upright stems, dying back to the root each winter and regrowing in spring.

Is Green Milkweed toxic to dogs?

Yes. Green Milkweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Green Milkweed toxic to cats?

Yes. Green Milkweed is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Green Milkweed HOA-friendly?

Green Milkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Green Milkweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Asclepias hirtella

Last reviewed: August 2026

Green milkweed is a low, clump-forming forb that blooms June through August with clusters of greenish-white flowers. It grows well in dry to medium prairies and open sandy or rocky ground in full sun.

Green Milkweed (Asclepias hirtella) — Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Green Milkweed is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, GA, IA and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Western Corn Belt Plains North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Prairie milkweed is a compact native wildflower that produces clusters of small greenish-white flowers from June through August. This drought-tolerant perennial forms neat clumps and works well in sunny borders and naturalized areas.

Growing Green Milkweed

Grow Green Milkweed in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Green Milkweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Flowers are not showy and may appear weedy to conventional tastes
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Milkweed family plants often perceived as too wild for formal landscapes

Wildlife value

Host plant for monarch butterfly.

Essential host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and provides nectar for various native bees, butterflies, and moths. The seeds also attract goldfinches and other songbirds in fall.

Common questions

When does Green Milkweed bloom?: Asclepias hirtella typically flowers from June through August, producing rounded clusters of small greenish-white blooms near the top of the stem.
What kind of light and water does Green Milkweed need?: This forb does best in full sun and tolerates medium to fairly dry soil, making it a good fit for open prairies, glades, and other well-drained sites.
What pollinators visit Green Milkweed?: Like other milkweeds, Asclepias hirtella attracts a range of bees, butterflies, and moths that feed on its nectar.
What growth habit does this plant have?: Green Milkweed is a perennial forb that grows in low, dense clumps of narrow leaves along upright stems, dying back to the root each winter and regrowing in spring.
Is Green Milkweed toxic to dogs?: Yes. Green Milkweed is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Green Milkweed toxic to cats?: Yes. Green Milkweed is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Green Milkweed HOA-friendly?: Green Milkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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