# Milkweed in Massachusetts

> 8 milkweed species are recorded in Massachusetts.

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

## Overview

Massachusetts pairs abundant common milkweed in old fields with specialist sandplain species such as clasping milkweed on Cape Cod and the islands and swamp milkweed along coastal marshes. Sandplain grassland restoration is the state’s highest-leverage monarch work.

- Species recorded: 8
- USDA hardiness zones: 5a–7b
- Monarch flyway: eastern
- Best time to sow seed outdoors: late October to early December

## Species recorded in Massachusetts

| Common name | Scientific name | Native | Height | Bloom |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Swamp Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Yes | 3 ft–5 ft | June to September |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to September |
| Purple Milkweed | Asclepias purpurascens | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | May to July |
| Poke Milkweed | Asclepias exaltata | Yes | 3 ft–6 ft | June to July |
| Common Milkweed | Asclepias syriaca | Yes | 3 ft–6 ft | June to August |
| Whorled Milkweed | Asclepias verticillata | Yes | 1 ft–2.5 ft | June to September |
| Clasping Milkweed | Asclepias amplexicaulis | Yes | 1.5 ft–3 ft | May to July |
| Fourleaf Milkweed | Asclepias quadrifolia | Yes | 1 ft–2 ft | May to June |

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Milkweed in Massachusetts. https://milkweedusa.com/states/massachusetts/