Blood flower is a tropical milkweed native to Central and South America that brings fiery color and wildlife to gardens in zones 9-11, or anywhere as a stunning annual. Its showy red and orange blooms arrive from June through October, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds in waves. Growing 24-36 inches tall with a spread of 18-24 inches, this tender perennial thrives in full sun with moderate water and minimal fussing. In colder climates, gardeners simply start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost and treat it as an easy annual that never stops blooming.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
36in H x 24in W
—
Low
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The flowers are genuinely eye-catching: vivid red and orange clusters that appear continuously from early summer until frost, making this one of the most reliable nectar sources for monarch butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds. It tolerates both deer and some drought once established, yet stays disease-free and virtually pest-proof. Best of all, it's simple enough for beginners to grow from seed indoors and rewarding enough to make you start it again next year.
Blood flower is grown as an ornamental, valued primarily for its showy blooms that sustain butterfly and hummingbird populations throughout the growing season. It serves as a critical larval host plant for monarch butterflies, making it essential for gardeners committed to pollinator conservation. In zones 9-11 it persists as a perennial landscape feature; elsewhere, it's grown as an eye-catching annual bedding plant or container specimen.
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Start seeds indoors in pots 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Keep soil warm and consistently moist until germination occurs. Harden off seedlings gradually over a week or two before planting outdoors.
Plant seedlings outside after the last spring frost date, once soil has warmed. Space plants 18-24 inches apart to accommodate their mature width. Choose a location in full sun for the most blooms.
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“Blood flower hails from the tropical regions of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, where it evolved to thrive in warm, disturbed environments. Its hardiness to seed-growing and ability to self-seed successfully made it a natural candidate for cultivation worldwide. Over time, it has naturalized across warm winter regions globally, earning it a reputation as both a beloved ornamental and an aggressive colonizer in certain tropical and subtropical climates.”