Butterfly weed brings orange flower clusters to dry, sunny planting, with a deep-rooted habit and foliage that supports monarch caterpillars.
- Height
- 30–61 cm / 1–2 ft
- Spread
- 30–46 cm / 1–1.5 ft
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Soil moisture
- Dry / Moist, well-drained
- Flowering
- Spring, Summer
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Low
- USDA zones
- 3a–9b
Planting
Choose full sun and freely draining soil, including lean, rocky ground. Decide on a permanent position before planting: its deep taproot makes moving established plants difficult.
Care
Leave established roots undisturbed. Remove pods before they open if self-seeding is unwanted, and allow seed-grown plants two or three years to establish and flower.
Before planting: Wear gloves when handling stems; even the clear sap can irritate skin. Wet soil can cause crown rot.
Planting Butterfly weed?
Find a landscaper nearby to help with planting and establishment.
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Sources & photo credit
Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked . Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.
- Butterfly weed: Susan Strine · CC BY 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Swamp milkweed: Joshua Mayer · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Green milkweed: Eric Hunt · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- 'Dilys' geranium: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.