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Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Attracts butterflies and bees. Grows well in arid soils. Also known as milkweed, butterfly weed, butterfly milkweed, and butterfly-weed. Medicinal: Roots are a respiratory expectorant and diaphoretic. Perennial in Zones 4-9.

Harvest

365d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

3–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Butterfly Weed in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 native-wildflower →

Zone Map

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Butterfly Weed · Zones 3–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, sandy or rocky soils, poor to average fertility

pH6.0-7.5

WaterLow — drought tolerant

SeasonPerennial

FlavorNo culinary use - toxic if consumed

ColorBrilliant orange to orange-red

Size2-4 inch flower clusters

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	May – July	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	April – June	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Dehiscent 4- to 5-inch, spindle-shaped follicle seed pods release silky-tailed seeds, which are dispersed by wind. Displays from August to September

Color: Gray/Silver, Green. Type: Capsule, Follicle. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Good Dried, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Butterfly weed is not a culinary plant and should not be consumed. For ornamental and medicinal purposes, dry flowers and seed pods at room temperature (65-75°F) in a low-humidity environment. Store dried materials in airtight glass containers away from light and moisture. Dried flowers and roots maintain potency for 1-2 years when properly stored. For medicinal root preparations, harvest in fall, clean, and dry completely before storage. Seeds can be collected and stored in cool, dry conditions for 2-3 years.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern and southern United States

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Pollinators, Specialized Bees
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Sap/Juice, Stems): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and Wild Bergamot bloom on a staggered schedule that keeps monarchs and fritillaries cycling through the same patch from May into October — and in our zone 7 Georgia garden, that unbroken nectar window is what actually holds migrating monarchs long enough to matter. Little Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed add structure without fighting for the same water, since butterfly weed's taproot drops 12–18 inches while the grasses feed shallow. Keep Crown Vetch and Tall Fescue out entirely — both spread by rhizome and will physically smother the crown before the taproot has a chance to anchor in its first two seasons.

Plant Together

Purple Coneflower

Shares similar growing conditions and attracts complementary pollinators, extending bloom season

Black-Eyed Susan

Similar drought tolerance and soil requirements, creates attractive color contrast and supports diverse pollinators

Little Bluestem Grass

Provides structural support and wind protection while sharing similar native prairie conditions

Wild Bergamot

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, has similar water and soil requirements

Goldenrod

Blooms later in season extending pollinator resources, thrives in similar dry conditions

Prairie Dropseed

Native grass companion that provides natural mulching and erosion control without competing for nutrients

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control pests, tolerates similar dry conditions

Wild Lupine

Fixes nitrogen in soil benefiting nearby plants, attracts different pollinator species

Keep Apart

Crown Vetch

Aggressive spreader that can outcompete and smother native wildflowers

Autumn Olive

Invasive shrub that creates shade and competes for water and nutrients

Tall Fescue

Non-native grass that forms dense clumps and releases allelopathic compounds inhibiting wildflower growth

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Very disease resistant, adapted to harsh conditions

Common Pests

Aphids (beneficial as they don't seriously harm plant and attract predators), milkweed bugs

Diseases

Rarely affected by diseases in well-drained soils

Troubleshooting Butterfly Weed

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Dense orange aphid colonies coating new stem growth in spring

Likely Causes

Oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) — a milkweed specialist that shows up reliably every year
No predator population established yet early in the season

What to Do

1.Leave them alone for 2 weeks — ladybeetles and parasitic wasps will find them, and the plant won't be seriously damaged
2.If the infestation is on a single stem and looks out of hand, knock them off with a hard blast of water rather than spraying anything
3.Don't use broad-spectrum insecticides; you'll kill the predators and the monarchs along with the aphids

Plant fails to emerge in its second or third spring after a wet winter

Likely Causes

Root rot from standing water — Asclepias tuberosa has a deep taproot that's extremely sensitive to poorly drained soil
Planting in heavy clay without amendment

What to Do

1.Dig up the crown in fall if you suspect waterlogging; healthy tubers are firm and pale, rotted ones are soft and brown
2.Move the plant to a raised bed or a slope where water drains off within an hour of rain
3.Amend planting sites with coarse sand or fine gravel before replanting — fast drainage matters more than fertility here

Large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) clustered on seed pods in late summer, pods failing to fill

Likely Causes

Large milkweed bug nymphs and adults piercing developing seeds inside the pods
High local populations building through August in warm-season gardens

What to Do

1.Hand-pick bugs into soapy water if you want to collect and save seed — otherwise, they won't kill the plant
2.Harvest seed pods before they fully split open, roughly 55–65 days after flowering, to get ahead of heavy feeding
3.Accept some loss — milkweed bugs are native insects and part of the system this plant supports

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take butterfly weed to bloom?▼

Butterfly weed typically flowers in the second year after planting from seed, with blooms appearing mid to late summer (June-August). Established plants flower reliably each season. The flowering period extends 4-6 weeks depending on weather conditions. Once established as a perennial, you'll enjoy consistent blooms year after year with minimal care.

Is butterfly weed good for beginners?▼

Yes, butterfly weed is excellent for beginner gardeners. It's rated as easy to grow, tolerates poor soils, and requires minimal maintenance once established. It prefers neglect over fussing and thrives in well-drained, sandy soils most gardeners struggle with. Its deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, and it needs no fertilizing or special care.

Can you grow butterfly weed in containers?▼

Growing butterfly weed in containers is challenging due to its deep taproot system, which prefers unrestricted soil depth. If attempting container cultivation, use a deep pot (18+ inches) with well-draining soil and excellent drainage holes. Container-grown plants may be shorter-lived than in-ground specimens and require more frequent watering during establishment.

What does butterfly weed taste like?▼

Butterfly weed is not suitable for culinary consumption and is toxic if ingested. While traditionally used medicinally (root as a respiratory expectorant), it should only be used under professional guidance. This ornamental wildflower is grown exclusively for its ecological value and beautiful orange flowers that attract pollinators.

When should I plant butterfly weed seeds?▼

Sow butterfly weed seeds in fall or early spring directly into well-prepared, well-draining garden soil. Seeds require a cold period (stratification) to germinate, making fall planting ideal. You can also start seeds indoors in late winter and transplant after the last frost. Direct sowing produces the most vigorous plants with strong taproots.

Does butterfly weed attract pollinators?▼

Yes, butterfly weed is excellent for pollinators. It's a native wildflower that attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. The bright orange flowers are highly attractive to monarch butterflies, and the plant serves as a larval host for milkweed-dependent butterfly species, making it valuable for ecological gardens and pollinator restoration.