Common milkweed is perhaps the most recognizable of the larval host plants that are so important to the Monarch Butterfly. A. syriaca has some of the most beautiful and complex flowers, starting with its drooping, spherical clusters of multicolored buds and opening to reveal various pinks, reds, lavenders, white, and green. It gives way to large seed pods that split to release flying, tufted seeds.

It is common to see in meadows, pastures and hay fields, where it is often growing in colonies situated in full sun. It can easily survive drought conditions and poor soils.

Common milkweed can grow aggressively and spread by rhizomes and seed, so it may not pair well with less vigorous plants, and will likely take over small spaces.

That said, it is beautiful in masses and meadow mixes, is easy to grow, and is highly valued by insect wildlife, and can be grown successfully in gardens, meadows, roadsides, and larger landscape plantings. Deer and other mammals do not find it palatable.