Giant Milkweed

Giant Milkweed Care

Calotropis Gigantea

What is the plant

Calotropis gigantea, commonly called crown flower or giant milkweed, is a large shrub or small tree that is native to India, southern China, Malaysia and Indonesia, but has been extensively cultivated in tropical areas around the world. This milkweed family member typically grows to 8-15' tall.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min -10°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Invasive

Weed

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water daily to keep moist, as needed–I use a little cheapo soil tester for moisture.
Pruning
Cut back the entire plant by one-third to one-half its previous height in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Make the cuts within 1/4-inch of a leaf or leaf bud so the bush doesn't have bare stems poking out. Remove all pruning clippings from the bed after pruning and dispose of them.
Soil
Giant milkweed is a hardy tough plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida. It is also drought-tolerant and has few pest or disease problems. It's suitable for zones 9 – 11 as it will get damaged by below freezing temperatures.

Disease diagnosis

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Temperature
Giant Milkweed for Monarch Caterpillars. Plant Specs: Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 10-11 (lows -1.1 °C or 30 °F)
Container
Giant Milkweed is a fast-growing container plant, even for northern regions.
Additional
Milkweed grows throughout the US and is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts.
These leaves grow to over 12″ long and 6″ wide. Growing to 25′ tall in some areas, this non-native milkweed grows the height of a one story building in areas of the US where winters are warm and the plant does not freeze to the ground.