# Milkweed in Tennessee

> 14 milkweed species are recorded in Tennessee.

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

## Overview

Tennessee runs from the Mississippi bottomlands to the Great Smoky Mountains, and its cedar glades in the Central Basin are a nationally important habitat holding green antelopehorn and green comet milkweed. White and fourleaf milkweed occupy the eastern woodlands.

- Species recorded: 14
- USDA hardiness zones: 5b–8a
- Monarch flyway: eastern
- Best time to sow seed outdoors: November to January

## Species recorded in Tennessee

| 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 |
| Green Antelopehorn | Asclepias viridis | Yes | 1 ft–2.5 ft | April to July |
| Aquatic Milkweed | Asclepias perennis | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to September |
| 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 |
| White Milkweed | Asclepias variegata | Yes | 1.5 ft–3.5 ft | May to July |
| Green Comet Milkweed | Asclepias viridiflora | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to August |
| Red Milkweed | Asclepias rubra | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | June to July |
| Tall Green Milkweed | Asclepias hirtella | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | June to August |

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Milkweed in Tennessee. https://milkweedusa.com/states/tennessee/