PlantFiles: Crown Flower, Giant Calotrope, Giant Milkweed, Swallow-wort
Calotropis gigantea

There is a superstition here in our part of the world that this plant should not be planted inside the premise/garden willfully.

This plant was purchased at a local 'Master Gardeners Show' in May of 2007. There were 3 plants in one 1 gallon pot.

I had initially planted 2 of the 3 into the ground & kept 1 in the pot. Sadly, the 2 died. I did exactly what I was told to do. The Master Gardener that sold it to me gave me a print out on planting & maintaining.

Now, the one that I left in the pot kept growing. So, late summer about 3rd week of August I planted the surviving plant in a different location & planted it in a method that I prefer. (Goes against what others would recommend)

Instead of making the hole wider then the rootball, I made it a snug fit. I prefer to put a few big rocks/stones in the bottom to allow drainage. Then I mix compost w/ Topsoil, soak it w/ water. Then put the plant in just slightly under the ground level & fill in w/ compost then w/ top soil. Water, then mulch. I know this is not considered the right way to do things, but I have always had very good turnouts.

Today (1 year & 2 months after planting) it has grown to 86" tall & althought I have them tied together loosely, they are 49"wide. If they were not tied together, I measured them separately & they came out to from one side to the other it is 97" wide. From the main, there are 7 branches.

This plant does not seem to produce fruit though.

This plant is very common in Thailand. The crown-like part is extensively used in Thai flower arrangement. It will remain "fresh" for at least 1 week or so.

I got it because monarch butterflies like to lay eggs on it, hundreds of their caterpillars ate it to it's nubs last spring, but it comes right back, quickly and stronger than ever. Mine was close to 15' and growing daily when I cut it back. Easy to propogate... stick any branch it water til it roots and stick into ground. I planted a hedge of them along the back of my property, they took immediately and are very attractive, always blooming. Leis are made from flowers here, but personally I never thought it a good lei flower. Zone 11. (UH Botony says native to tropical Asia)

Even more giant than the giant Milkweed (Calotropis procera), this weed is also from India and is used for just about every disease that exists. It has nice, ornamental flowers, too.