Habitat
Asclepias curassavica is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It grows in open habitats such as grasslands, roadsides, disturbed sites, and forest margins, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. It is now naturalised in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, where it can become weedy.
Description
This perennial subshrub typically grows 0.5–1.5 m tall, with erect, branching stems that exude a milky latex when broken. Leaves are opposite, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, measuring 6–12 cm long, with a smooth margin and acute tips. The inflorescences are umbellate clusters of showy flowers held above the foliage. Each flower is about 1–1.5 cm across, with a bright scarlet-red corolla and a contrasting yellow-orange corona, making it highly ornamental and attractive to pollinators. The fruit is a slender, fusiform follicle up to 10 cm long, which splits open to release numerous silky-haired seeds dispersed by wind.
Cultivation
Asclepias curassavica is easy to cultivate in warm climates. It thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering, tolerating short dry spells once established. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0) that is well-drained but retains some moisture. It grows best at daytime temperatures of 20–28 °C and nighttime temperatures of 12–18 °C, making it well-suited to subtropical gardens and summer bedding in temperate climates. High humidity is not essential, as the species is adapted to open, dry habitats. Fertilisation with a balanced fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during active growth will encourage flowering. It is highly attractive to butterflies, especially Monarchs (Danaus plexippus), which use it as a larval host plant. In frost-prone climates, it can be grown as an annual or in pots that are overwintered indoors.
Specifications
Plant Size: in 12 cm pots. Plants are 50 - 80 cm tall.
Plant Family: Apocynaceae
Plant Passport: Asclepias curassavica B 140084 C [user input] D GB