Butterfly Milkweed
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a standout native perennial with vivid orange blooms—one of the few North American natives to boast such a fiery hue. This species provides an easy way to establish a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden.
With deep green foliage, an upright yet compact form, and intriguing seed pods, Butterfly Milkweed offers beauty throughout the growing season. As a host plant for Monarch Butterflies, its leaves provide essential food for Monarch caterpillars, making it a crucial addition to any habitat garden. While slow to emerge in spring, this species is long-lived, drought-tolerant, and thrives in dry, well-drained soils. It won’t persist in consistently wet areas, but in the right conditions, it rewards gardeners with low-maintenance, season-long appeal.
Why Choose Butterfly Weed?
- Jumpstart your garden with multiple plants for better coverage and faster establishment.
- Supports monarchs & other pollinators with a high-quality, pesticide-free native species.
- Easy to plant—simply space them out and watch them thrive in full sun.
Plant Butterfly Weed in sunny, dry locations, and enjoy a low-maintenance, high-impact native that butterflies will love! As robust as this species is, it's best to avoid late-season installations.
- Towards the end of summer, milkweeds may get oleander aphids, small yellow insects which cover stems and flowers. They will not harm the plant and can be left alone or removed by hand.
- Similarly, bright orange Large Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) may visit and feed on your plants. This will not harm the plant.
- Milkweed seed pods can be easily collected, saved, and shared to propagate this powerful pollinator plant.
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