# Milkweed in Hawaii

> 3 milkweed species are recorded in Hawaii.

Source: https://milkweedusa.com/states/hawaii/  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Milkweed USA)

## Overview

Hawaii has no native milkweed. Monarchs arrived in the islands in the 1840s and now breed year-round on introduced tropical milkweed and balloon plant, forming a non-migratory resident population. Because they do not migrate, the usual advice about cutting back tropical milkweed does not apply in the same way here.

- Species recorded: 3
- USDA hardiness zones: 9a–13a
- Monarch flyway: none
- Best time to sow seed outdoors: October to December, so the seed uses winter rain

## Species recorded in Hawaii

| Common name | Scientific name | Native | Height | Bloom |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balloon Plant | Gomphocarpus physocarpus | No | 3 ft–6 ft | May to October |
| Tropical Milkweed | Asclepias curassavica | No | 2 ft–4 ft | nearly year-round in frost-free areas |
| Giant Milkweed | Calotropis procera | No | 6 ft–12 ft | nearly year-round in frost-free areas |

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Milkweed in Hawaii. https://milkweedusa.com/states/hawaii/