Asclepias incarnata 'Soulmate'
Overview
Uses: Pollinator and butterfly gardens, rain gardens, pond and stream edges, perennial borders, mass plantings, moist meadow plantings.
Benefits: A standout milkweed for the monarch garden, 'Soulmate' pairs fragrant rose-pink flower clusters with a tidier, more uniform habit than the wild form. It is a vital nectar source and a larval host for monarch caterpillars, while tolerating the wet soils that defeat many perennials.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Upright, Clumping — erect stems from a central clump.
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Mature Height: 3–4 feet
Mature Width: 2–3 feet
Bloom Season: Mid to late summer
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Summary
'Soulmate' brings the monarch-magnet power of swamp milkweed to the garden in a tidier, more refined package.
Through mid and late summer the upright stems are topped with rounded clusters of rose-pink flowers, each with a paler crown and a soft vanilla fragrance. The blooms hum with butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, and the plant doubles as a critical larval host for monarch caterpillars.
Despite its love of moisture — it shines in rain gardens and along pond edges — 'Soulmate' adapts well to average garden soil. After bloom, decorative seed pods split to release silky-tailed seeds, extending the season of interest.
Care
Soulmate Swamp Milkweed Care
Plant swamp milkweed in full sun for the best flowering, in average to moist or even wet soil. It is one of the few perennials that welcomes consistently damp ground.
Water regularly while establishing and during dry spells; established plants tolerate brief dryness but prefer steady moisture. Feeding is rarely needed, though a light slow release fertilizer in spring supports vigorous growth.
Leave the stems standing through winter for habitat and seed interest, then cut back in early spring. Milkweed is slow to emerge in spring, so mark its spot to avoid disturbing the crown.
Size
What Size is the Soulmate Swamp Milkweed for Sale Online?
Our Soulmate Swamp Milkweed ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Soulmate Swamp Milkweed Grow?
Soulmate swamp milkweed grows into an upright clump about 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It dies back to the ground each winter and returns reliably from the crown each spring.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as swamp milkweed, and also as rose milkweed for its pink blooms.
Why is milkweed so important for monarch butterflies?
Milkweed is the only group of plants monarch caterpillars can eat, so it is essential for their survival. 'Soulmate' provides both that larval food and abundant nectar for adults. Find more habitat plants in our collection of native plants.
Does swamp milkweed really need wet soil?
It thrives in moist to wet soil and is ideal for rain gardens and pond edges, but it also performs well in average garden soil with regular water, making it more versatile than the name suggests.
Is 'Soulmate' a true native?
It is a nativar — a cultivated selection of swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a North American native — chosen for its uniform habit and rich flower color. Browse more options among our perennials.
