Asclepias linaria
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Asclepias linaria

Pineneedle milkweed · Yerba de cuervo

Tier 1 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Water every
7 days
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
70
Observations
76

Description

Source: leafsnap

Asclepias linaria, commonly known as Pineleaf Milkweed, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. Native to the western United States, it thrives in dry and rocky habitats, including prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. This plant can grow up to 2 feet tall, featuring narrow, slender leaves arranged in whorls around the stem. The leaves have a bluish-green color, adding to the plant's distinctive appearance. The flowers of Asclepias linaria are small but numerous, forming clusters at the tops of the stems. Each flower boasts a unique shape with five petals that curve backward like horns. Pineleaf Milkweed serves as an essential host plant for monarch butterflies, providing food for their larvae. Its nectar-rich flowers also attract other pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. Traditionally, Native Americans have used Pineleaf Milkweed for medicinal purposes, particularly for treating respiratory ailments like coughs and colds. In summary, Asclepias linaria is an attractive plant that offers significant ecological benefits and holds cultural importance in traditional medicine practices.

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days

Pine-needle milkweed is well-suited for dry climates due to its excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in arid conditions and only needs watering once every 1-2 weeks. As an evergreen, it retains its leaves year-round while efficiently conserving water, making it an ideal choice for outdoor cultivation in such environments.

Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun

Pine-needle milkweed is native to open environments, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, which offer abundant light. It thrives in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
FAQ
What are the sun requirements for Pine-needle milkweed?

Pine-needle milkweed (Asclepias linaria) thrives in conditions where it can receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the day. For those plants desiring 'Full sun,' they require above 6 hours of sunlight daily to flourish. On the other hand, if the conditions are more about 'Partial sun,' then about 3-6 hours of sunlight is necessary. It's crucial to observe the movement of sunlight across your garden carefully. This observation will help you pick spots that offer an ideal mix of light and shade, ensuring your plants' growth and happiness. Following this guideline will help your Pine-needle milkweed thrive.

🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

Pine-needle milkweed comes from tropical regions, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Therefore it is well suited to high temperatures and moisture. It does not tolerate sudden temperature shifts and prefers a steady temperature, so it is important to prevent indoor temperature fluctuations. It usually cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the ambient temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Pine-needle milkweed is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy. This supports overall growth and the development of flowers. Fertilizing improves the foliage, stems, and branches, and encourages flowers that are larger, more vibrant, and longer-lasting. It also helps move nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant’s health and resistance to disease.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
Suggested frequency: Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning

Pine-needle milkweed has thin, wiry stems and needle-like leaves. It benefits from pruning in early spring, which helps to remove dead stems and encourage new growth. Pruning improves the plant's size, shape, and flowering vigor, enhancing both its appearance and health. Be sure to use sharp, clean tools during pruning to prevent the spread of disease.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Asclepias
Family
Apocynaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
0.91 m to 1.83 m
Mature Spread
30 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Mexico

Tags (7)

Common Names (2)

en Pineneedle milkweed
en Yerba de cuervo