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Butterfly Weed Care Guide

Butterfly Weed is a must have for any garden that wants to attract an array of winged beauties to it! Perfect for poor soil conditions and very easy to maintain.

Butterfly Weed

(Asclepias tuberosa)

A great perennial addition to any garden to attract all types of pollinators! Tends to grow more like a bush vis its other milkweed relatives and tends to stay on the smaller size. Glossy coarse leaves that are drought tolerant once mature. Keep watered well for the first year. Flowers bloom from yellowy orange to dark orange with multiple flower bunches per plant.


Native to most of the US and Canada! To prevent spreading cut pods off (if not collecting seeds), cover pods with organza bags/wrap with bands, collect seed pods as soon as they start to open and remove new growth from ground while still small.


DO NOT use any form of pesticides including "natural" methods. They will all be detrimental to the Monarch caterpillars. To remove aphids/milkweed bugs spay off with water hose.


While not as toxic as other milkweed species its still best to keep away from children and pets. Toxic is large amounts if ingested. Protect eyes from sap when handling.


Seed Planting Instructions:

Easiest Method- Directly sow seeds in late fall early winter into flowerbed/soil and cover with 1/4 inch of soil. Thin seedlings in spring to 1-2 feed apart.


More Controlled Method- 4 weeks before planting place seeds in a thin layer onto damp paper towel (best to use distilled water), fold, place in plastic zip bag/air tight container and place in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. After 4 weeks of cold stratifying, plant in seed starter mix. If temperatures are below 60 degrees, start seeds indoors on seed mat. If above they can be directly sowed outdoors. Germination can take up to 4 weeks depending on temperatures.

Planting Requirements

  • Plant in full sun

  • Soil: Dry well draining soil, sand, clay & loam

  • Moisture: Fairly dry (Once established)

  • Hardiness Zone: 3-9

  • Hight: 1-2 feet

  • Spacing: 12-18 inches

  • Blooms from June to August

  • New plants can bloom 1st-3rd year

USDA, NRCS. 2022. PLANTS Database (https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/, 02/09/2022). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

For comments, concerns or kudos please email me at: monarchmanornurseries@gmail.com

P.S. I love to see photos of my customers gardens!

Much Love, Kira


  • Home
  • Common Milkweed
  • Swamp Milkweed
  • Butterfly Weed
  • Honeyvine Milkweed
  • Cut & Come Again Zinnias
  • Mexican Sunflowers
  • Black-eyed Susan
  • Join Our Facebook Group
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