Quick answer: Rush milkweed (Asclepias subulata) is native to 3 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 24 Oct 2026.
Photo: Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry |
| Soil | Sandy desert washes |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-Dec |
| Height | 3-5 ft |
| Wildlife value | Monarch and queen host |
Milky sap toxic if eaten; keep from livestock
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 24 Oct 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Rush milkweed
Where is Rush milkweed native?
Rush milkweed (Asclepias subulata) is native to Arizona, California and Nevada. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Rush milkweed bloom?
Rush milkweed blooms Mar-Dec. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Rush milkweed need?
Light: Sun. Water: Dry. Soil: Sandy desert washes. Mature height: 3-5 ft.
Is Rush milkweed good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Monarch and queen host.
Is Rush milkweed deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Rush milkweed is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Is Rush milkweed toxic?
Milky sap toxic if eaten; keep from livestock.
Where can I buy Rush milkweed?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 24 Oct 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Asclepias subulata by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Rush milkweed.
- Firecracker penstemon Penstemon eatonii
- Palmer's penstemon Penstemon palmeri
- Brittlebush Encelia farinosa
- Arroyo lupine Lupinus succulentus
- Blue palo verde Parkinsonia florida
- Desert globemallow Sphaeralcea ambigua
Also listed under
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