Seeds - Common Milkweed

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), long perceived as a mere weed, has regained popularity due to its ecological and aesthetic value. This vigorous native herbaceous plant produces stunning clusters of pink flowers with a sweet and enchanting fragrance in July and August, attracting a wide range of pollinators. Its sturdy stem and large opposite leaves, often a rich green, form a plant that can reach between 1 and 1.5 metres in height. By late summer, it produces elongated fruit pods filled with silky fibers that aid in seed dispersal. The fibers from the pods, which are hydrophobic and insulating, are used as a plant-based alternative to down. Milkweed is ideal for natural gardens and flower meadows, where it adds texture and colour.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses
This plant, named in honor of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, is also prized in herbal medicine. It is used to treat various respiratory issues and possesses antiseptic, soothing, depurative, and diuretic properties. In the kitchen, milkweed is edible, although its consumption requires proper cooking to neutralize its natural toxins. Young shoots, flower buds, and immature fruits can be prepared after cooking. Wild food enthusiasts prepare it as a vegetable, in soups, or as a side dish. The Ministry of Agriculture of Quebec (MAPAQ) provides detailed guides on the various safe preparation and cooking methods for this plant.

Ecological Role
Milkweed plays a crucial role in Quebec's ecosystems, notably as an essential food source for the monarch butterfly's caterpillars, a threatened species. Numerous pollinating insects, as well as parasitoids, come to feed on its nectar, contributing to the natural balance by limiting pest populations in the garden. Introducing milkweed into landscaping helps preserve monarchs while enriching local biodiversity. Resistant and robust, this plant grows in various types of well-drained soils, including poor or sandy ones, making it valuable for ecological restoration projects and low-maintenance gardens.

Milkweed seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.