Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa

Common Name: Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Milkweed

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 3–9)

Size: 24–36" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Sandy, Rocky, and Poor Soils

Water Needs: Low Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer

Fertilizer: None Required; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Bright Orange Flower Clusters, Native Perennial, Monarch Host Plant, Exceptional Pollinator Attraction, Deer Resistant

Uses: Ideal for Pollinator Gardens, Native Plantings, Prairie Gardens, Meadow Plantings, and Perennial Borders

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Asclepias Growth & Care Guide for more care tips

More About Asclepias ‘Butterfly Weed’

Butterfly Weed plays a critical role in the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, serving as a primary food source for monarch caterpillars and a vital nectar plant for adults. Asclepias tuberosa provides the leaves caterpillars need to grow and develop, while its bright orange flower clusters fuel adult butterflies during migration and breeding. Unlike some other milkweed species, Butterfly Weed grows in a tidy, upright form that fits easily into home gardens without spreading aggressively. Its long bloom period ensures nectar availability when monarchs need it most. Planting Butterfly Milkweed is one of the most direct ways gardeners can support monarch survival.

Beyond its ecological importance, the plant brings strong garden performance alongside its conservation value. The flowers hold their color through heat and sun, and the plant stays composed rather than coarse. Once established, deep taproots allow it to thrive in dry conditions without supplemental watering. It doesn’t require rich soil or fertilizer to do its job well. That resilience makes it easier for more gardeners to grow Milkweed successfully. The result is more Milkweed when monarchs desperately need it.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

Butterfly Weed doesn’t need trialing—it’s been around forever, and its value is already well established. It is a dependable perennial that thrives in heat, handles drought once established, and doesn’t demand rich soil or extra care. Year after year, it comes back strong without flopping or losing its shape. Pollinator activity is constant, especially during peak bloom, when the plant is rarely quiet. Monarchs use it not only for nectar but as a host plant, which adds another layer of value. Watching caterpillars develop on plants you’ve grown never gets old.

We also appreciate how little maintenance it requires once it’s settled in. There’s no need for fertilizer, and supplemental watering is rarely necessary. Deer have consistently ignored it for us, which makes it even more reliable in open landscapes. It performs just as well in lean, sandy soils as it does in more amended beds. From both a gardening and ecological standpoint, it’s an easy plant to recommend with confidence. Butterfly Weed earns its place by being tough, beautiful, and genuinely useful.

Butterfly Weed vs. Other Milkweed

When compared to Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Butterfly Weed stands out as a much more garden-friendly option. It grows in a tidy, clump-forming habit rather than spreading aggressively, which makes it easier to place intentionally without worrying about it overtaking nearby plants. The structure stays upright and composed, allowing it to blend seamlessly into designed borders as well as more natural plantings.

Compared to Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Butterfly Weed is better suited to dry, well-drained soils and open, sunny locations. It thrives where drainage is sharp and moisture is limited, making it a reliable choice for gardeners who don’t have consistently wet ground. For anyone who wants to support monarchs while keeping the garden clean, balanced, and low-maintenance, Butterfly Milkweed is often the most practical and approachable place to start.