Showy Milkweed Seeds
Showy Milkweed Seeds - Asclepias speciosa
- Hardy to Zone 3
Full Sun
- Germination Tested Not tested.
- Approximately 30-50 seeds per pack
Couldn't load pickup availability
Milkweed is an incredible perennial vegetable and pollinator support plant, native to the Western half of Turtle Island (North America). It's drought tolerant, easy to grow, and supplies many different vegetables spring through summer.
The shoots, flower buds, flowers, and young seed pods are edible and tasty. Milkweed must be cooked before eating, although a few flowers raw are likely ok. As with any new vegetable, eat a small amount to start with, as some people seem sensitive to milkweed. Fresh plants exude a sticky milky sap, so wear gloves when harvesting.
Via Alan Bergo, the Forager Chef, here are ideas on how to eat many parts of milkweed: The young leaf shoots, and the plant tops with developing flowers buds can be blanched like asparagus, the flower buds can be steamed like broccoli, or made into capers. The opened flowers are sweet and can be infused into drinks or vinegars. The young seed pods can be blanched and/or fried. See all Alan's recommendations and recipes here.
Milkweed can be a vigorous grower and spread by rhizomes, although this species is supposed to spread less aggressively than Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed). I've heard people recommend avoiding planting it in the middle of your veggie garden.
The story of these seeds: These seeds were collected by my dear friend Jakub Amler, who I met at Ntamtqen Community Garden & Food Hub. He collected these seeds while on a hunting trip on land of the Smelqmix (Similkameen) People. Many thanks Jakub!
Photo by Justin Meissen via Wikimedia Commons.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.
Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.
Shipping within Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.
Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS
Sign up to receive an email when we open US shipping again.
Shipping Internationally
International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.
Refund Policy
Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.
Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.
Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept or do not claim an order we've mailed to you, or made available for local pickup.
Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
