Calotropis (Crown Flower)
Calotropis gigantea
📖 About this plant
Calotropis gigantea, commonly called Crown Flower, Giant Milkweed, or Madar, is a large, drought-resistant shrub native to the Indian subcontinent and one of the most culturally and medicinally significant plants in India. The plant is a member of the Apocynaceae family (same as oleander and plumeria) and shares the family trait of producing a milky latex sap when cut. The common name “Crown Flower” comes from the distinctive shape of the flowers — each pale lavender or white waxy flower has a central crown-like structure (corona) that resembles a small crown. The flowers are highly fragrant and attract butterflies (especially the common crow butterfly and plain tiger butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on the leaves). In Hawaii, the Crown Flower is used to make leis — it was the favourite flower of Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. In India, Calotropis has deep religious significance — the flowers are offered to Lord Shiva and Hanuman, the plant is mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and it is considered a sacred weed that grows on wastelands across India. Beyond religious value, Calotropis is an important medicinal plant in Ayurveda — the roots, leaves, and latex are used to treat skin diseases, digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, and snake bite. Modern research has confirmed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. However, the plant is highly toxic — the latex contains cardiac glycosides (similar to oleander) and can be fatal if ingested. Despite its toxicity, Calotropis is one of the most ecologically valuable plants in India — it thrives on wastelands where nothing else grows, prevents soil erosion, fixes nitrogen, and provides food for butterflies and bees.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun
When dry (very drought-tolerant)
Low to moderate (30-60%)
15-40°C
Well-draining sandy or rocky soil; tolerates poor and saline soils. pH 6.0-8.0
Light feeder — compost or balanced fertilizer once or twice per year
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and tropical Africa
- 📏 Max height
- 2-4 m as a shrub
- 📐 Spread
- 1.5-3 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Year-round in tropics; peak spring to autumn
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pale lavender to white waxy flowers with a central crown (corona)
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Grey-green, large oblong leaves 15-30 cm long; silvery underside
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast — 60-100 cm per year
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Highly toxic — milky latex sap contains cardiac glycosides; keep away from children, pets, and livestock. Sap can cause skin and eye irritation.
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds (most common — root easily), stem cuttings
🛡️ Health & Safety
Highly toxic — milky latex sap contains cardiac glycosides; keep away from children, pets, and livestock. Sap can cause skin and eye irritation.
Common issues
- Highly pest-resistant due to toxic latex; occasionally aphids on new growth; root rot from overwatering (most common killer); leaf spot diseases in humid weather
💡 Care tips
- Plant in full sun with 2-3 m spacing — Calotropis becomes a large shrub. The plant thrives on neglect and is perfect for difficult sites — poor soil, dry slopes, coastal areas with salt spray, and wastelands. Water only during extended dry spells once established. Apply compost or balanced fertilizer once or twice per year. Prune in late winter to control size and shape — wear gloves and protective clothing, as the latex is toxic and can cause skin irritation. Never get the latex in your eyes — it can cause severe irritation and temporary blindness. The plant is highly toxic if ingested — keep away from children, pets, and livestock. The plant is perfect for butterfly gardens — it is the host plant for several butterfly species (plain tiger, common crow, common rose). Calotropis is suitable for arid and semi-arid regions and is often used for soil erosion control on wastelands. The flowers can be harvested for religious offerings (after washing to remove latex). Avoid planting near water sources — the plant can become invasive.