# Milkweed in South Dakota

> 12 milkweed species are recorded in South Dakota.

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

## Overview

East river, common and prairie milkweed occupy tallgrass remnants and CRP fields; west river, the shortgrass plains support plains, Engelmann’s and green comet milkweed. The Missouri River corridor is the state’s primary monarch highway.

- Species recorded: 12
- USDA hardiness zones: 3b–5b
- Monarch flyway: eastern
- Best time to sow seed outdoors: October to November

## Species recorded in South Dakota

| 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 |
| Showy Milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | Yes | 2 ft–5 ft | May to August |
| Prairie Milkweed | Asclepias sullivantii | Yes | 2 ft–4 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 |
| Oval-leaf Milkweed | Asclepias ovalifolia | Yes | 8 in–1.7 ft | June to July |
| Green Comet Milkweed | Asclepias viridiflora | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to August |
| Plains Milkweed | Asclepias pumila | Yes | 4 in–1 ft | June to September |
| Engelmann’s Milkweed | Asclepias engelmanniana | Yes | 2 ft–5 ft | June to August |
| Slimleaf Milkweed | Asclepias stenophylla | Yes | 1.5 ft–3.3 ft | June to August |
| Woolly Milkweed | Asclepias lanuginosa | Yes | 4 in–1 ft | May to June |

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Milkweed in South Dakota. https://milkweedusa.com/states/south-dakota/