Clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

Also known as: Blunt-leaved milkweed

The Eastern Prairie White Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) is a flowering plant indigenous to the eastern United States. This uncommon orchid is protected in several states. It typically blooms during the summer and can be found in dry prairies and fallow fields.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Attributes of Clasping milkweed

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

30 cm to 76 cm

Spread

60 cm to 90 cm

Leaf Color

Green Gray

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Pink Purple Green

Images of Clasping milkweed

Quickly Identify Clasping milkweed

Opposite, sessile leaves with wavy margins and pink midrib aid in identification.

Distinctive deep pink to reddish-purple flowers in tight spherical umbels.

Robust stem, up to 3 feet in height, with a slightly glaucous surface.

Erect, spindle-shaped brown fruit pods with tufted seeds for wind dispersal.

Solitary terminal flower clusters with 5-parted central crown and rose scent.

Scientific Classification of Clasping milkweed

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Gentianales

Family

Dogbane

Genus

Milkweeds

Species

Clasping milkweed

Planting and Growing of Clasping milkweed

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 2 days

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun

Sunshine Duration

4-8 hours

Ideal Temperature

65-80℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Clasping milkweed?

Asclepias amplexicaulis prefers deep watering sessions that saturate the soil to about 15 cm in depth. This allows the water to reach the deeper roots while ensuring the surface remains adequately moist. After each watering, the soil should feel damp but not waterlogged, assisting in optimal root health.

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What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Clasping milkweed?

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Duration of light: 6-8 hours daily

Asclepias amplexicaulis thrives in full sun environments, enjoying 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight. Adequate light ensures vibrant growth, healthy flowering, and robust foliage that contribute to a visually appealing plant.

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What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Clasping milkweed?

Ideal Temperature: 65 ~ 80℉

Asclepias amplexicaulis thrives best in a temperature range between 65°F to 80°F. This range provides optimal growth conditions necessary for photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Ensuring an environment within these boundaries supports robust plant health and disease resistance.

What Soil is Best for Clasping milkweed?

Soil type: Sandy soil, Loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Asclepias amplexicaulis thrives in well-drained soil. This requirement ensures that the roots do not retain too much moisture, reducing the risk of root rot and promoting healthy root development. The plant prefers soil of moderate fertility. Excessively rich soil can lead to lush foliage growth but may reduce flowering. A balanced level of nutrients supports its overall health and blooming. This species prefers a soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5. Maintaining this pH range allows optimal nutrient availability, which is crucial for vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

How to Fertilize Clasping milkweed?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

Asclepias amplexicaulis, or blunt-leaved milkweed, requires a delicate balance of nutrients. It's best to use a diluted liquid fertilizer, ensuring that the nitrogen content is not too high. A quarter-strength solution applied during the growing season will suffice, avoiding any nutrient burn or root damage.

How to Prune Clasping milkweed?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Begin by locating any stems that appear dead or damaged. These can be identified by discoloration, brittleness, or an absence of new growth. Using clean, sharp shears, cut back these stems to encourage healthy development. Next, proceed to trim the plant in a way that maintains its natural shape. Focus on removing any cross branches that may cause internal shading, promoting a more open structure that lets light and air reach the inner parts. To encourage new growth, occasionally pinch back the growing tips of Asclepias amplexicaulis. This practice stimulates the development of lateral branches, resulting in a bushier and aesthetically pleasing plant.

How to Propagate Clasping milkweed plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Early summer

Begin by filling seed trays with a sterile potting mix. Sow Asclepias amplexicaulis seeds on the surface, lightly pressing them into the soil but not burying them. They require light to germinate. Mist gently to moisten the soil without disturbing the seeds.

Place the seed trays under grow lights or in a bright location. Maintain a temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) to ensure germination. Keep the potting mix consistently moist but not waterlogged, as overly wet conditions can lead to seed rot.

Once seedlings develop two sets of true leaves, they can be carefully transplanted into larger pots or directly into garden beds. Handle seedlings by their leaves to avoid damaging the delicate stems or roots during the transplanting process.

How to Repot Clasping milkweed plant?

Repotting frequency: Every two to three years

Asclepias amplexicaulis signals its need for repotting through slow growth or roots poking out from the drainage holes of the pot. These signs indicate that the plant's root system has outgrown its current space and requires a new pot to thrive.

Select a pot that is one size larger than the current one with adequate drainage holes. This ensures the plant's roots have ample room to expand and minimizes the risk of root rot. Clay pots are preferable as they allow excess moisture to evaporate.

Opt for a well-draining sandy loam to support Asclepias amplexicaulis. This type of soil aids in preventing waterlogged conditions by allowing excess water to escape, crucial for the plant's health and growth.

Toxicity of Clasping milkweed

Is Clasping milkweed toxic to humans?

Clasping milkweed is a species that contains cardiac glycosides, which are toxic to humans if consumed. This harmful compound is present throughout the entire plant, with the highest concentrations located in the white, latex-like sap. The signs of poisoning may include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lethargy, and confusion. In more serious cases, it can result in coma, respiratory failure, and potentially death. This plant poses a particularly significant threat to children due to its abundant and widespread nature. Furthermore, it does not resemble commonly consumed food plants, making it unlikely for adults to confuse it with edible options. The sap of clasping milkweed can also lead to skin and eye irritation, though these effects tend to be less severe compared to ingestion.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.

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