Giant Cane Milkweed
Asclepias albicans
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Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Perennial |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Pollinators | Butterflies |
| Has Spines | No |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
5-9' × 2-4' |
| Freeze Tolerant | No |
| Flowering Season | Year Round |
| Flower Color | White |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 25-30 °F |
| Leaf Description | Thin and shed quickly from the waxy grey stems |
| Fruit | A dry capsule that splits and reveals numerous thin brown seeds with feathery plumes |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Elevation Range | 500-2500 ft. |
| Description | Similar to rush milkweed (A. subulata) except that this species can get significantly larger. Plants can be up to 9' tall, with thin greyish branches which typically lack foliage. Giant cane milkweed grows in southwest Arizona in some of the harshest conditions our lovely state has to offer in places like the Kofa Wildlife Refuge, and the Tinajas Altas Mountains. When cultivating this species it is important to provide adequate drainage to mimic the rocky habitats it occupies naturally. In many ways it is helpful to treat this plant as a succulent, and it makes an excellent addition to a cactus and succulent garden, tolerating extreme heat and sun exposure. As with other milkweeds this plant can be attractive to monarch and queen butterflies but the primary pollinators are tarantula hawk wasps which put on an awesome display as they buzz around the clusters of flowers. Be advised, this is not a common plant to find in nureseries so availability may be a limiting factor. |
