Giant Milkweed
Calotropis gigantea
- Native to:
- Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guam, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laccadive Is., Laos, Malaya, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Thailand, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Vietnam
Vijayanrajapuram
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Calotropis
- Species:
- Calotropis gigantea
- USDA Symbol:
- CAGI11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, purple, lavender
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Euchaetes bolteri Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- tolerates saline and alkaline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm conditions. Fresh seed has higher germination rates than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI