Giant Milkweed has a large silver leaf and gets a unique purple flower. This plant is great for a butterfly garden as it is a host plant for the caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly. Giant Milkweed can be used as a substitute for other milkweeds or as a supplement to the ones you already have.
How to care for Giant Milkweed
Light. Grows best in full sun.
Water. Let the soil dry out before watering again. Once established it tolerates drought.
Soil and feeding. Plant it in well-drained soil. It is easy to grow and tolerates salty soil and salt spray, so it works near the coast.
Size. Usually 4 ft or more, and it can reach about 13 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide in the ground. Give it room to spread.
Problems to watch. Bright yellow aphids often colonize the stems and leaves. Treat heavy colonies with Insecticidal Soap following the label.
Good to know. All parts ooze a milky sap when cut. The sap can irritate skin, and it is toxic if swallowed by people, pets and livestock. Wear gloves when pruning. Bees visit the flowers, and milkweed butterfly caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Sources: NParks Flora & Fauna Web: Calotropis gigantea (Crown Flower)
