Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed produces many bright orange, flat-topped flower clusters in early June. Flowering goes on for many weeks. Green pods full of seeds with silky white hairs follow the flowers. This is an essential plant if you want to attract a variety of butterflies to your property, especially monarchs.

Benefits:

• Nectar and sometime host plant for monarch butterflies


• Great nectar source for many other butterflies


• Thrives in sun in average or dry soil


• Deer resistant

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil

Plants have deep taproots and are best left undisturbed once established

Like many milkweeds, plants are slow to emerge from the ground in spring

Height 18-30 Inches

Spread 12-24 Inches

Native Range Sandy soils and upland woods; New Hampshire to South Dakota south to Arizona, Mexico and Florida. Distribution Maps by State and County

Native Trivia Milkweeds are the host plant for monarch butterflies. The entire lifecycle of these butterflies, from caterpillars to adults, revolves around this plant.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

"Milkweeds provide loads of nectar and serve as homes and food sources for monarch caterpillars."

Good Companions Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Oxeye Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), 'Northwind' Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Low Perennials	Exposure • Sun	Soil Moisture Preference • Dry • Average	Attracts Wildlife • Butterflies
Bloom Time • Summer	Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant	Habitat Collection • Butterfly	Native Habitat • Grassland
Foliage Color • Green