Butterfly Weed Plant

Stunning Native Blooms That Bring Monarchs to Your Yard

Some flowers are so iconic that they redefine the native garden. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), also known as Tuberosa Butterfly Weed, Pleurisy Root, or Teflon Plant, earned its title as Perennial Plant of the Year for good reason. This native forb boasts fiery orange and yellow blooms that blaze through the summer heat, drawing in butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees by the dozen.

These vivid flat-topped clusters keep the color going for months, especially when deadheaded for reblooming displays or indoor bouquets. Monarch caterpillars rely on this Milkweed as their essential host plant, while the nectar-rich flowers provide vital food for adult butterflies and pollinators. Attract even more beneficial insects and pollinators with tips from our pollinator garden guide.

The strong, vase-shaped stems and deep taproot make Butterfly Weed incredibly hardy, handling thin, rocky soils, blazing sun, drought, and frigid cold alike. Found wild across North America, it's a symbol of resilience and renewal that no pollinator garden should be without.  Learn more in our Butterfly Weed & Milkweed Pollinator Garden Guide.

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Key Features

• Perennial Plant of the Year Winner
• Brilliant orange-yellow blooms for months
• Native host plant for Monarch caterpillars
• Nectar magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds
• Handles poor, rocky, or dry soils with ease
• Drought-tolerant and heat-hardy once established
• Deer-resistant and low maintenance
• Excellent for cut flowers and container gardens

Landscaping Uses

This standout native lights up any sunny garden with fiery color and fluttering life. At 2-3 feet tall and equally wide, Butterfly Weed makes a vibrant mid-border accent or mass planting anchor.

Use it to bring warmth and movement to:

• Pollinator, butterfly, or native plant gardens
• Sunny rock gardens or tough slopes
• Wildflower meadows and prairie-style designs
• Mixed perennial borders with Coneflowers and Rudbeckia
• Children's gardens for hands-on nature learning
• Large containers or balcony planters (with deep pots for taproots)
• Naturalized areas, roadside plantings, or dry hillsides

Care & Maintenance

USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
This long-lived herbaceous perennial thrives in sunny, open sites and is ideal for xeric gardens. It's naturally adapted to drought and poor soils, one of the easiest native perennials you can grow.

• Planting Time: Spring or early fall once the soil warms
• Sun Requirements: Full sun (minimum six hours daily)
• Soil Requirements: Prefers dry to average, well-drained soil; tolerates clay, gravel, or sandy soil but not rich or soggy spots
• Moisture Needs: Water regularly during the first growing season until established; after that, they are drought-tolerant. Always use the Finger Test to check soil moisture before watering.
• Mulching: Apply a 3–4 inch layer of bark chips or mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Learn how in How and Why to Mulch Your Plants.
• Fertilization Needs: Light feeder; add compost or organic fertilizer in spring if desired.
• Pruning Info: Cut stems down to the crown in late winter or early spring. To promote rebloom and prevent reseeding, deadhead faded blooms regularly.
• Division Info: Division is not recommended due to its deep taproot.
• Special Perks: Deer-resistant, beneficial insect and pollinator-friendly, drought- and heat-tolerant, thrives in poor soil, supports native wildlife.

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster to promote strong root development and long-term success.

Bring the Heat With Butterfly Weed!

There's nothing like the fiery glow and fluttering life that Butterfly Weed brings to your garden. Monarchs, hummingbirds, and honeybees will make daily visits to your vivid orange blooms, and the seed pods that follow add interest all autumn long.
Order your Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed from Nature Hills today and enjoy its effortless color, hardy nature, and pollinator power year after year!

FAQs

Is Butterfly Weed the same as Milkweed?
Yes, Butterfly Weed is a type of Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), a native host plant for Monarch caterpillars and an essential nectar source for pollinators.

Does Butterfly Weed come back every year?
Yes! It's a hardy perennial that reappears each spring once the deep taproot is established.

How do I get Butterfly Weed to rebloom?
Deadhead faded blooms to encourage repeat flowering and prevent self-seeding.

Can Butterfly Weed grow in clay or rocky soil?
Yes. It thrives in tough, dry, or rocky conditions, just make sure the soil drains well. Learn more about clay-tolerant plants that handle similar conditions.

Do I need to plant more than one Butterfly Weed for pollinators?
No, one plant produces ample nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. But planting multiples increases visual impact and attracts more pollinators and beneficial insects!