# Milkweed in Texas

> 35 milkweed species are recorded in Texas.

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

## Overview

Every monarch heading north from Mexico crosses Texas, which puts its spring-blooming milkweeds, antelope horns, green antelopehorn and zizotes, among the most consequential plants on the continent. The state also holds desert, Hill Country and coastal marsh species, more than thirty in total.

- Species recorded: 35
- USDA hardiness zones: 6a–10a
- Monarch flyway: both
- Best time to sow seed outdoors: November to January

## Species recorded in Texas

| 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 |
| Purple Milkweed | Asclepias purpurascens | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | May to July |
| Antelope Horns | Asclepias asperula | Yes | 1 ft–2 ft | March 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 |
| Zizotes Milkweed | Asclepias oenotheroides | Yes | 8 in–2 ft | March to October |
| 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 |
| White Milkweed | Asclepias variegata | Yes | 1.5 ft–3.5 ft | May to July |
| Fewflower Milkweed | Asclepias lanceolata | Yes | 2 ft–5 ft | May to August |
| Pineneedle Milkweed | Asclepias linaria | Yes | 1.5 ft–4 ft | March to October |
| Texas Milkweed | Asclepias texana | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to September |
| Green Comet Milkweed | Asclepias viridiflora | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to August |
| Broadleaf Milkweed | Asclepias latifolia | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | May to August |
| Sand Milkweed | Asclepias arenaria | Yes | 1 ft–2.5 ft | June to August |
| Red Milkweed | Asclepias rubra | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | June to July |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Pineland Milkweed | Asclepias obovata | Yes | 1 ft–2.5 ft | June to August |
| Tall Green Milkweed | Asclepias hirtella | Yes | 2 ft–4 ft | June to August |
| Bract Milkweed | Asclepias brachystephana | Yes | 6 in–1.5 ft | April to August |
| Giant Milkweed | Calotropis procera | No | 6 ft–12 ft | nearly year-round in frost-free areas |
| Poison Milkweed | Asclepias subverticillata | Yes | 1 ft–3 ft | June to September |
| Longleaf Milkweed | Asclepias longifolia | Yes | 1 ft–2.5 ft | April to July |
| Emory’s Milkweed | Asclepias emoryi | Yes | 4 in–1.2 ft | April to September |
| Dwarf Milkweed | Asclepias involucrata | Yes | 4 in–10 in | April to June |
| Longhood Milkweed | Asclepias macrotis | Yes | 8 in–1.7 ft | April to August |
| Prostrate Milkweed | Asclepias prostrata | Yes | 2 in–6 in | March to September |
| Sperry’s Milkweed | Asclepias sperryi | Yes | 8 in–1.7 ft | May to August |

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Milkweed in Texas. https://milkweedusa.com/states/texas/