Ill teach you how to grow and care for it from seed to bloom. · though starting showy milkweed plants from seed can be somewhat difficult, growers do have another option. Propagating them is not as simple as casting some seeds out onto the landscape and watching from a reclining chair for tall plants to arise in the spring. This article describes how to propagate these perennial herbs, focusing on the species native to northern california. The best way to propagate milkweed is through seeds, which you can collect from pods, or by dividing mature plants. Pre-chilling seeds enhances germination rates. Showy milkweed can be best propagated in spring through sowing. This plant exhibits moderate propagation difficulty. However, it readily self-seeds, so removing seed pods before they split can help control its spread in smaller gardens. Experts suggest that new milkweed can be rooted from cuttings that have been taken in spring. Seeds need a cold period to germinate, which basically mimics winter. · showy milkweed tends to have a long and deep taproot, making transplanting milkweed difficult and mostly unsuccessful. That being said, because they spread via rhizomes, it is sometimes possible to propagate milkweed via rhizome cuttings. Curious about growing showy milkweed to support monarch butterflies? Successful propagation is evident through vigorous root development and budding. Unlike common milkweed (asclepias syriaca), showy milkweed spreads through rhizomes but does not aggressively take over landscapes. Both methods are pretty straightforward and work well for increasing milkweed in your garden or a wild patch.
