# Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa)

> A softly furred, low-growing milkweed of southeastern coastal sandhills and scrub, with greenish-cream flowers and leaves felted enough to feel like suede.

Source: https://milkweedusa.com/species/velvetleaf-milkweed/  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Milkweed USA)

## Summary

A softly furred, low-growing milkweed of southeastern coastal sandhills and scrub, with greenish-cream flowers and leaves felted enough to feel like suede.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Asclepias tomentosa Elliott |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Common names | Velvetleaf Milkweed, Tuba Milkweed |
| Status | Native |
| Height | 1 ft–2.5 ft |
| Spread | 1 ft–2.5 ft |
| Flower color | green, cream |
| Bloom period | April to July |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry |
| USDA zones | 7-10 |
| Leaf arrangement | opposite |
| Leaf shape | ovate |
| Sap | Milky latex |
| Root system | Deep taproot, resents transplanting |
| Seed stratification | 30 days cold-moist |
| Monarch value (0-5) | 3 |
| Garden value (0-5) | 2 |
| Nectar value (0-5) | 2 |
| US states recorded | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina |

## Identification

- Whole plant densely velvety to the touch.
- Sprawling to weakly upright stems in deep coastal sand.
- Small greenish-white flowers with cream hoods.

## Ecology

A scarce component of Florida scrub and coastal sandhill communities.

## Growing

Rarely cultivated; requires pure sand.

## Cautions

Standard milkweed cautions.

## References

- Plants of the World Online: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:94697-1
- GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/3170331
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145567
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_tomentosa
- BONAP county map: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Asclepias%20tomentosa.png
- NatureServe: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search?searchTerm=Asclepias%20tomentosa

## Photographs

- Asclepias tomentosa (Florida Native Plant Society, Public domain): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa - 51299352068 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_-_51299352068.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa (2021) (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_(2021).jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa - 51300184590 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_-_51300184590.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa - 51300185880 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_-_51300185880.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa - 51300187120 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_-_51300187120.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa 1 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_1.jpg
- Asclepias tomentosa - 53812508572 (sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_tomentosa_-_53812508572.jpg

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Velvetleaf Milkweed (Asclepias tomentosa). https://milkweedusa.com/species/velvetleaf-milkweed/