Tropical milkweed

Asclepias curassavica

Family: Apocynaceae

Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Hummingbird Friendly

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

Bark, Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Seeds, Stems

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

NC State rates the poison severity Low: eating a quantity can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy and confusion (the toxic principles named are cardiac glycosides and resinoids). The milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.

Hazard route

ingestion; milky sap on skin or in eyes

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

The pet verdict rests on an ASPCA page for the whole genus. NC State (this species): severity Low; ASPCA's genus entry reads more severe. The sap can irritate eyes and skin.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 8a-11b (NC State Extension).
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide (NC State Extension)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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