Before your package lands on your doorstep, get your planter or garden bed ready. Simply fill the space with your favorite standard potting or in-ground soil mix. 

Pro-tip: give the soil a good watering now. Pre-watering prevents the soil from turning hydrophobic (where it repels water instead of absorbing it), creating the perfect, welcoming environment for your new plants.

Track your delivery closely to bring your box inside right away. Open the top and clear away the protective layers of polyfill and paper until you can see the green leaves. Lift the entire plant out by the pot. Don't be alarmed if the foliage looks wrinkly or droopy after its journey—this is temporary shipping shock. Your milkweed will completely adjust and start thriving in its new home within 2 to 4 weeks.

To easily slide the roots out, give the top of the plastic pot a generous squeeze and wiggle. This safely releases the soil from the side walls. Be careful to focus your squeezing only on the upper portion of the pot—avoid compressing the bottom, where the deep, vital root systems congregate.

Note: You will find an identification label wrapped around your pot. There is no need to remove it to depot your plant, though our example photos show an unwrapped pot for clarity.

Flip the pot upside down, holding the base of the plant between two fingers for stability. Take your pinky finger, a pencil eraser, or a small stick, and push gently into the drainage hole at the bottom. The soil and roots should slide right out like a Push-Pop! If it feels stuck, just go back to step 3 and wiggle the walls of the pot a bit more vigorously to break the suction.

Keep the roots as undisturbed as possible, giving them only a very gentle loosening if they appear tightly bound. This healthy root ball is ready to go into your pre-prepared garden space right away!

Weather Tip: If your area is currently experiencing extreme heat, freezing temperatures, or heavy downpours, consider waiting until the evening or a milder day to plant. To help your milkweed acclimate, you can place the intact pots in their future planting spots for a day or two before officially depotting them.

Visit our care page to help your milkweed settle in. 

Milkweed will die back in the winter and regrow stronger every year, usually reaching its strongest in the 3rd year.
This photo shows a variety of milkweed during the spring of its 2nd year.