Spider Milkweed

About Spider Milkweed

Spider Milkweed, also known as Green Antelopehorn, is one of the earliest milkweeds to bloom, providing a critical early-season resource for returning pollinators. This low-growing perennial, often reaching just 1 to 2 feet, features large, distinctive flowers with green petals and purple-tinged centers, giving them a striking, exotic appearance. Its leaves are broad and often wavy, held on stems that may lean or sprawl. Native to the southern and central United States, it thrives in full sun and medium-dry to dry soils, often found in prairies and pastures. It is a highly valued host plant for Monarch butterflies and a favorite of bumblebees. Its rugged nature makes it a great choice for tough sites where other plants might struggle. For successful garden establishment, sow seeds in the fall to allow for natural wintering, as they require cold stratification to trigger germination in the spring.