Strange, whimsical, and absolutely unforgettable, Hairy Balls Milkweed, also known as Balloon Plant or Family Jewels Milkweed, is one of the most striking milkweeds you can grow. Delicate Soft lime-green pods swell into round, spiky “balloons” that dangle from long stems, creating an airy architectural effect that looks as if it came straight out of a fairy-tale garden.
 
Before the famous “balloons” appear, Hairy Ball Milkweed produces surprisingly delicate, elegant clusters of star-shaped blooms. Each flower is soft white with a hint of blush or pale green, forming airy umbels that hover lightly above the foliage.
 
Up close, the blossoms are refined and intricate, with a porcelain-like quality, far more graceful than the bold seed pods that follow. The petals curve gently back, revealing a tiny crown-like center that attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
 
These dainty blooms create a beautiful contrast to the plant’s whimsical, spiky pods, giving the plant a dual nature:
Soft and ethereal in flower
Playful and sculptural in fruit
 
The floral display typically lasts throughout summer and is one of the reasons this species is so beloved by Monarch caterpillars, the flowers may look delicate, but the plant is robust, vigorous, and full of life.

A beloved host plant for Monarch caterpillars, this species is a fast-growing annual/perennial milkweed substitute that thrives in warm weather. Butterflies flock to its clusters of delicate white-and-blush flowers, while the inflated seed pods make exceptional cut-flower and dried arrangements.
 
Hairy Ball Milkweed grows tall and graceful, often 3–6 feet in a single season and performs beautifully in full sun, well-drained soil, and warm climates. It is extremely easy to start from seed and often outperforms tropical milkweed in vigor and caterpillar appeal.
 
Zones: 8–13 (annual elsewhere)
Height: 3–6 ft
Light: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer
Wildlife: Excellent Monarch host plant; attracts butterflies and beneficial insects
 
A wonderful choice for pollinator gardens, cut-flower growers, and anyone who loves unusual, sculptural plants.
 
This is for 10 Seeds
 
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