When does woollypod milkweed bloom?

Woollypod milkweed typically flowers from June through September, producing rounded clusters of fuzzy, cream to pale purple blossoms.

Does woollypod milkweed attract pollinators?

Yes. Its flowers are regularly visited by butterflies, bees and moths, and like other milkweeds it serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars.

How much water does this plant need?

It grows best with low water once established, favoring dry, well-drained soils rather than regular irrigation.

What kind of site suits woollypod milkweed?

It does well in full sun on dry slopes, grasslands and open chaparral edges, the kind of hot, well-drained ground it encounters through much of California.

Is Woollypod Milkweed toxic to dogs?

Yes. Woollypod 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 Woollypod Milkweed toxic to cats?

Yes. Woollypod 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 Woollypod Milkweed HOA-friendly?

Woollypod Milkweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Woollypod Milkweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Asclepias eriocarpa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Asclepias eriocarpa is a perennial forb of dry, sunny sites in California, blooming from June through September with clusters of woolly, cream flowers that draw butterflies, bees and moths.

Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) — Photo: no rights reserved

Woollypod Milkweed is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-06-03). 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.

Is Milkweed Toxic to Dogs? covers the symptoms, what to do after exposure, and safe native swaps.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–40" H × 18"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, moths

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Woollypod Milkweed is a drought-tolerant native perennial that produces clusters of creamy white to pale pink flowers from summer through early fall. This medium-sized plant has distinctive woolly seed pods and silvery-green foliage that adds texture to the landscape. It goes dormant in winter but reliably returns each spring.

Growing Woollypod Milkweed

Grow Woollypod Milkweed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 40 inches tall and spread 18 to 36 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Woollypod Milkweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.

Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.

Coarse, woolly foliage can look unkempt
Dies back to ground in winter

Wildlife value

Host plant for monarch butterfly, queen butterfly.

Essential host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and provides nectar for various butterflies, bees, and moths. The flowers are particularly attractive to native bees and other beneficial insects.

Common questions

When does woollypod milkweed bloom?: Woollypod milkweed typically flowers from June through September, producing rounded clusters of fuzzy, cream to pale purple blossoms.
Does woollypod milkweed attract pollinators?: Yes. Its flowers are regularly visited by butterflies, bees and moths, and like other milkweeds it serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars.
How much water does this plant need?: It grows best with low water once established, favoring dry, well-drained soils rather than regular irrigation.
What kind of site suits woollypod milkweed?: It does well in full sun on dry slopes, grasslands and open chaparral edges, the kind of hot, well-drained ground it encounters through much of California.
Is Woollypod Milkweed toxic to dogs?: Yes. Woollypod 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 Woollypod Milkweed toxic to cats?: Yes. Woollypod 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 Woollypod Milkweed HOA-friendly?: Woollypod Milkweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Woollypod Milkweed and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz