Deno’s GardenMy Garden

Asclepias quadrifolia

Four-leaf Milkweed · Four-leaved Milkweed · Whorled Milkweed · Fourleaf Milkweed

Family ApocynaceaeGenus Asclepias

A loose head of small pale pink star-shaped flowers above a whorl of broad pointed leaves
FlowerHalpaughCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
1-3 ft30-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1.8-2 ft55-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
5-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.

50% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Asclepias p. 103Public domain
Show the original text
Asclepias (Asclepiadaceae). The four species studied have wind born seed indicating that DS is tolerated. This was generally true; but some deterioration on DS was noted in A. quadrifolia germ. 70L-40-70L(3/6 in 1-3 w) and none in 70D-40-700.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Asclepias p. 103. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

Nothing germinated at 70.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Asclepias p. 103Public domain
Show the original text
Asclepias (Asclepiadaceae). The four species studied have wind born seed indicating that DS is tolerated. This was generally true; but some deterioration on DS was noted in A. quadrifolia germ. 70L-40-70L(3/6 in 1-3 w) and none in 70D-40-700.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Asclepias p. 103. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

Add to My Garden

View species page