Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Showy milkweed · Asclepias speciosa

Why are there bugs on my Showy milkweed?

Showy milkweed is a magnet for insects, which is great for butterflies but can be frustrating for gardeners. Most of the time, these visitors are harmless, but heavy infestations can stress the plant. Check your stems and undersides of leaves to see exactly what is hanging out there.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for small clusters.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the stems.
  3. Identify if the insects are aphids or larger milkweed bugs.

Likely causes

  1. Oleander Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see clusters of tiny, bright yellow or orange insects covering the new growth and flower buds. They suck sap and leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

    What to do: Blast them off with a strong stream of water from your garden hose in the morning. If they persist, you can wipe them away with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap.

  2. Milkweed Bugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These are distinct orange and black insects that congregate on the seed pods and stems. They feed primarily on the seeds rather than the leaves.

    What to do: Handpick them off if their numbers are high, or simply leave them be as they are a natural part of the milkweed ecosystem. They rarely cause enough damage to require chemical intervention.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your showy milkweed

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Worry only if the plant looks stunted or the flower buds are failing to open due to massive aphid coverage. A few bugs are perfectly normal and expected on this plant.

Stopping it coming back

Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings by avoiding broad spectrum pesticides in your garden. Keep your plant healthy with proper sun and water to help it withstand minor feeding.

Showy milkweed: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your showy milkweed and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will aphids kill my milkweed?
Usually, no. They are a common sight on milkweed and the plant is tough enough to handle them.
Should I use a systemic pesticide?
No, never use systemic pesticides on milkweed. These chemicals stay in the plant tissues and will poison the monarch caterpillars that rely on your milkweed to grow.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Showy milkweed

Back to the Showy milkweed guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.