How to Grow Garibaldi
Garibaldi
Asclepias curassavica
flowerGaribaldi is a vibrant tropical milkweed native to South America, known for its striking orange and red flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This tender perennial produces clusters of bi-colored blooms and narrow, lance-shaped green leaves. It serves as an essential host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars while adding dramatic color to gardens and containers.
When should you plant Garibaldi in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Garibaldi timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Garibaldi
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Garibaldi blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Garibaldi dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; grown as annual in cooler zones
Sign up free to see if Garibaldi grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Garibaldi timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
10-14 daysSeeds sprouting and developing first true leaves
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain warm temperature (70-75°F). Germination takes 10-14 days.
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 sets of true leaves developing
Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding. Begin light fertilizing.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant establishes woody stems and increases in height; foliage becomes dense and full
Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Water regularly and fertilize monthly. Support tall plants with stakes if needed.
Flowering
3-5 months (extends with deadheading)Distinctive orange and red umbel clusters (flower heads) appear at stem tips; blooms continue for months
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer.
Seed Pod Development
4-6 weeksAfter pollination, elongated pod-like follicles form containing flat seeds with silky appendages
Allow some pods to mature if collecting seeds. Pods will split open when dry. In frost-free zones, plants persist and self-seed readily.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick or use insecticidal soap if infestation is severe; often tolerable as they rarely cause significant damage
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe; increase humidity
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
-
Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with neem oil; isolate affected plants
-
Improve drainage and air circulation; remove affected stems; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Monarch Butterfly Host Plant
WildlifeGaribaldi is an essential host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, which feed exclusively on milkweed species. Planting it supports the complete life cycle of these iconic pollinators. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeThe abundant nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, making it excellent for pollinator gardens. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdThe vibrant orange and red blooms make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements and bouquets, lasting a week or more in water. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalIn traditional Caribbean and South American medicine, Garibaldi has been used to treat various ailments, though scientific validation is limited. [source]
Dried Seed Pods
CraftMature seed pods with their distinctive silky-haired seeds (comas) can be dried and used in dried floral arrangements and craft projects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase with fresh water. Harvest in early morning when stems are hydrated. For seed collection, allow pods to fully mature on the plant until they turn brown and papery, then harvest and store in cool, dry conditions. Plants self-seed prolifically in warm zones.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Garibaldi's name honors Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian military leader, though the plant's common name is primarily used in horticulture rather than in historical contexts.
- 🌱 The plant's latex sap contains toxic cardiac glycosides, which makes it distasteful to most herbivores but is harmless to Monarch caterpillars that have evolved to tolerate it.
- 🌱 Garibaldi readily self-seeds and can become invasive in warm climates; in some regions like Hawaii and parts of Africa, it is considered a problematic non-native species.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Garibaldi planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Garibaldi seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Garibaldi timeline →