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Asclepias curassavica (Bloodflower)
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3 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Asclepias curassavica
Other names
Bloodflower, Bastard ipecacuanha, Blood flower, Matac, Red head, Wild ipecacuanha , Bastard pecacuanha, Indian root, Matal, Swallow wort, Scarlet milkweed, Silkweed
Genus
Asclepias Asclepias
Species
A. curassavica - A. curassavica is a tender, evergreen subshrub, often grown as an annual, with upright branches bearing narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped, pointed, dark green leaves and, from summer into autumn, terminal clusters of orange-red to red flowers with yellow-orange hoods followed by pale green fruit.
Asclepias curassavica is: Evergreen
Habit
Upright
Flower
Yellow-orange, Orange-red in Summer; Orange-red, Yellow-orange in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Whitefly Whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
If container grown and kept outside in summer, cut back and bring inside in winter.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Asclepias curassavica (Bloodflower) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely and feed monthly in growth, keep almost dry in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained, loam in a sunny, sheltered site.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Asclepias curassavica
Other names
Bloodflower, Bastard ipecacuanha, Blood flower, Matac, Red head, Wild ipecacuanha , Bastard pecacuanha, Indian root, Matal, Swallow wort, Scarlet milkweed, Silkweed
Genus
Asclepias Asclepias
Species
A. curassavica - A. curassavica is a tender, evergreen subshrub, often grown as an annual, with upright branches bearing narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped, pointed, dark green leaves and, from summer into autumn, terminal clusters of orange-red to red flowers with yellow-orange hoods followed by pale green fruit.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-orange, Orange-red in Summer; Orange-red, Yellow-orange in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
If container grown and kept outside in summer, cut back and bring inside in winter.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Asclepias curassavica (Bloodflower) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely and feed monthly in growth, keep almost dry in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained, loam in a sunny, sheltered site.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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