Add bold texture and pollinator power to your garden with the unforgettable Hairy Balls Milkweed, also known as Balloon Plant or Swan Plant. This unusual milkweed variety features large, round, balloon-like seed pods covered in soft hairs, making it a true conversation piece in any landscape.
A favorite among monarch butterflies, Gomphocarpus physocarpus serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars, while also attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators with its clusters of small, white star-shaped flowers. It grows tall and upright, making it ideal for back borders, butterfly gardens, and wildflower plantings.
Hairy Balls Milkweed is not only visually striking—it's also a vital plant for monarch butterflies, making it a bold and beneficial addition to any garden.
Hairy Balls Milkweed (5.5" Pot)
Features:
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Common Name: Hairy Balls Milkweed, Balloon Plant, Swan Plant
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Botanical Name: Gomphocarpus physocarpus
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Bloom Color: White, star-shaped flowers followed by inflated green seed pods
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Growth Habit: Upright, branching
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Mature Height: 4–6 feet
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Pot Size: 4”
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Light Requirements: Full sun
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Bloom Time: Midsummer to fall
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Water Needs: Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
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Maintenance: Low; deadhead to control reseeding if desired
Perfect For:
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Butterfly and pollinator gardens
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Tall borders and wildflower plantings
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Educational gardens and unique focal points
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Supporting monarch conservation efforts
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