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Balloon Milkweed

$9.99

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Due to state-level plant regulations we are currently only shipping plants within the state of KS. More states will be added in the near future!

PLANT SIZE: 4" NURSERY POTS (3.5in square x 4in deep); HALF-GALLON POTS (5in square x 5.75in deep)

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Due to state-level plant regulations we are currently only shipping plants within the state of KS. More states will be added in the near future!

PLANT SIZE: 4" NURSERY POTS (3.5in square x 4in deep); HALF-GALLON POTS (5in square x 5.75in deep)

Due to state-level plant regulations we are currently only shipping plants within the state of KS. More states will be added in the near future!

PLANT SIZE: 4" NURSERY POTS (3.5in square x 4in deep); HALF-GALLON POTS (5in square x 5.75in deep)

Plant Description

Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus), also known by other names such as "Hairy Balls Milkweed" and "Family Jewels Milkweed" is such a fun addition to your butterfly garden. The unique seed pods really stand out, and florists have started to use stems as an eccentric "thriller" in bouquets. The leaf-shape and overall growth structure is reminiscent of a young willow but with white flower umbels dangling from the stems. Endemic to southeast Africa, this fast-growing milkweed is an excellent host plant for several Danaus butterfly species including Monarchs (Danaus plexippus), Queens (Danaus gilippus), and Soldiers (Danaus eresimus). In most of the United States, it is planted as a tropical annual but can be a perennial in warmer zones.

Out of all the milkweeds we have planted at the farm, Danaus butterflies--most notably the Monarch--seem to love this species the most. The leaves on this fast-growing plant stay tender throughout the season, when other milkweeds are past their prime.

People refer to this plant by many names, which can lead to confusion. It was once named Asclepias physocarpa, but in 2001 it was renamed Gomphocarpus physocarpus to show that it belongs to the family of African Milkweeds.

Balloon Milkweed is native to South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique but has naturalized in areas around the world such as Africa, the Mediterranean, China, India, Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America.

Growing Info

HARDINESS ZONES | 8 - 10

MATURE HEIGHT | 4-6ft

SPREAD | 2-3ft

SUN | Full sun

SOIL | Light to medium, moist well-draining soil

WATER | Dry to Medium

LARVAL HOST | Monarchs (Danaus plexippus); Queens (Danaus gilippus); Soldiers (Danaus eresimus)

Important Notes

In warmer zones such as Zone 8-10, Gomphocarpus physocarpus has a high risk of escaping cultivation.

It produces hundreds of seeds which can be easily distributed by the wind, allowing for it to invade and colonize native habitats. For this reason, we recommend planting other milkweeds in southern zones, unless you are willing to remove seed pods before they open.

A higher prevalence of butterfly diseases in southern zones where Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a perennial means more plant maintenance is required.

These warmer zones often have resident populations of Danaus butterflies that do not migrate. As a result, diseases such as the debilitating protozoan parasite OE remain present year-round. Native milkweed species that die back to the ground when entering dormancy effectively kill off any OE spores present. However, because of this plant's evergreen nature in warmer zones, diseases such as OE remain present on milkweed leaves, continuing the cycle of weakened & diseased butterflies. To reduce disease transmission rates, we recommend cutting your plant back to around 6" multiple times during the fall and winter months.