Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves.
- Look for sticky residue on the stems.
- Check the seed pods for clusters of bugs.
Likely causes
Oleander Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see clusters of small, bright yellow insects on the stems and new growth.
What to do: Spray the aphids off with a strong stream of water from your hose. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week.
Milkweed Bugs
PossibleHow to tell: Orange and black bugs feeding on the seed pods or leaves.
What to do: Handpick the bugs off the plant if the population is small. They generally do not cause enough damage to kill a healthy plant.
When to worry
If the plant is covered in aphids and the leaves start to curl or turn yellow, you should intervene. Small numbers of bugs are usually harmless.
Stopping it coming back
Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to visit your garden by planting diverse flowers.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your swamp milkweed.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will these bugs kill my plant?
- Usually no. Swamp milkweed is tough and can handle a fair amount of insect activity.
- Should I use systemic pesticides?
- Avoid systemic pesticides as they can harm the monarch caterpillars that rely on your milkweed.
More problems with Swamp milkweed
Back to the Swamp milkweed guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.