Description
Attract Butterflies, Bees, And Birds with this Pollinator!
The Calotropis Gigantea is native to mostly tropical regions throughout Africa and Asia. Best grown in zones 11 and 12, it prefers to have full sun and is actually highly drought tolerant, so you don’t need to worry about watering your Giant Milkweed everyday.
This shrub tends to grow up to 15 feet total if left on its own, though it can be trimmed to some smaller sizes. What makes it a great hedge for your property or the edge of your garden is more than the green leaves and stems but actually the interesting flowers that grow seasonally.
The flowers on this plant, also called a Giant Milkweed, are actually waxy and come in light purple and white colors that are very unique. In fact, they’re even used in floral arrangements in some parts of the world because of the look and the fact that they last a long time.
Some use an extract from the flowers and the leaves for their hypoglycemic effects and some use them for funeral decorations. They’ve even been used for shrines to the Lord Shiva and the fibers have been used for things like rope, nets, sewing, stuffing and more. In all, there are numerous different purposes for his plant, however it’s important to be careful around it as well.
There have been some uses that were not as mundane or healthy, such as using it as an arrow poison because it can be toxic. For others, it’s an ideal medicine, having been used in Indian folk medicine for treating asthma and even liver diseases. Some have also treated arthritis, cancer, snake bites, nausea and vomiting, among others, but there is little research on these at this point.
The Calotropis Gigantea’s leaves make a the perfect place for caterpillars to pupate on. The giant milkweed makes a great attractant for butterflies to flock to in your garden as it is considered a butterfly magnet. Butterflies such as Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies tend to use the giant milkweed as a host plant. This lovely plant is also attractive to bees and birds as well and can be a great addition to your garden to attract those much need pollinators!
Suzanne M. (verified owner) –
My plant arrived fresh, happy, and in excellent condition. I am an avid Butterfly gardener and PlantVine is my go-to nursery. They really care.
Susan Perry (verified owner) –
It arrived in perfect condition
Holly (verified owner) –
Packed incredibly well! Arrived in great shape. Very pleased.
SARAH M. (verified owner) –
Beautiful plant.
Thank you.
Suzanne (verified owner) –
I ordered 3 Giant Milkweed plants and they are thriving! I’m so happy with my order. Thanks so much!
Christine Reed (verified owner) –
Beautiful! Will purchase again.
Melinda (verified owner) –
I just received my giant milkweed which I purchased for my monarch caterpillars. They are now vomiting green since feeding on this plant. I can not believe I spent over $60 on a tree for my caterpillars only to kill them all.
Mitchell Thomas (verified owner) –
Arrived very healthy and larger than I expected, thanks.
Terrence Haley (verified owner) –
Should have been 5+ except FedEx smashed the box and pot, terrible condition. Plant needed to be reported, plant suffered shock…..seeds to be doing well now. This was no fault of PlantVine. Plant was exact Plant that was sent via photo before shipping… great service.
Michael Gleason (verified owner) –
Was packaged great and nice size, but almost all the leaves were off. Hoping it puts out some new growth
Justice Royston (verified owner) –
My plant was about half the size of the one pictured. However she arrived healthy and is growing already so I’m happy with my purchase for sure.
Stephanie Williams (verified owner) –
Smaller than anticipated however healthy, beautiful and thriving! Also came with some monarch eggs! Very happy
Susan Gardner (verified owner) –
I was very pleased with my Giant Milkweed. It is very healthy and even had a small Monarch caterpillar on it. I will order from you again.
Markita Murdok (verified owner) –
It was fine, but the carrier you used damaged the box terribly. Fortunately, the plant was fine, even tho it had lost some leaves. One extra bonus it came with a monarch caterpillar already on it.
Roberta Burgess (verified owner) –
Was packed very well and arrived in good shape. Even had 3 Monarch caterpillars on them!
Theresa (verified owner) –
I am so impressed with the quality of the giant milkweed. It is well packaged and doing very well. I will be a returning customer. Bravo to this company!
Pallavi –
How tall does it grow when mature and is the flower purple or white?
Suzanne M. (verified owner) –
I love my new Giant Milkweed plants! They arrived in perfect condition and are doing very well. Thanks so much!
Tammy (verified owner) –
Bev –
How many leaves do the plant have when I receive it?
joan simmerman –
I live in central florida. zone 9 Will this plant freeze ?
Karen –
Do you use pesticides when growing the Giant Milkweed shown for sale. My concern is that I want plants I purchase to be safe for Monarch larvae to eat.