Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Long-lasting, bright orange flowers and a low mounded profile make Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) one of the most popular milkweeds. True to its name, Butterfly Weed attracts legions of butterflies and is an important host plant …

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In stock
SKU
31280-03 / 11280
Plants 3" Pots
1-4 $7.99 ea.
5-10 $6.99 ea.
11-31 $5.99 ea.
32+ $4.99 ea.
Seeds 3,500 seeds/oz
1/4 Oz $12.00
1/2 Oz $18.00
Oz $30.00
Lb $450.00
Cultural Details
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture Dry, Medium
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Height 2'
Bloom Color Orange
Bloom Time June, July, Aug
Spacing 1' - 18"
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Root Type Taproot
Benefits Butterflies, Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Host Plant, Deer Resistant
Seeds per Oz 3500
Propagation Treatment Dry Stratification
Direct Sowing Time Spring, Early Summer, Fall

Long-lasting, bright orange flowers and a low mounded profile make Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) one of the most popular milkweeds. True to its name, Butterfly Weed attracts legions of butterflies and is an important host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies. Unusual among milkweeds, its leaves are alternate and it lacks the typical milky sap.

In an ideal location, a mature Butterflyweed can become a very showy specimen, with multiple flowering stems spreading across a two foot high plant. Mature plants have a deep tap root that extends down a foot or more. They can be transplanted if dug carefully, during dormancy. This rugged species thrives in sunny locations, in dry sandy soil or well-drained loam.

Other common names include Pleurisy Root, Butterfly Milkweed and Orange Milkweed.