Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) flowers

Asclepias tuberosa | butterfly weed

This plant will not be available in 2026, however, propagation is planned/underway. Please sign up for the waitlist below to receive updates on availability in future years.

Butterfly Weed should be a staple in every pollinator garden. It is treasured for its long-lasting clusters of bright orange flowers. The leaves are an essential food source for the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies. We delight in watching the caterpillars munch the foliage nearly to the ground each season. Somehow the plants continue to flower anyway. Deer and rabbit resistant.

WARNING: May cause minor vomiting or stomach upset if ingested. Sap or juice may cause dermatitis.

Zones: 4 to 9
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Type: Deciduous Perennial
Height: 24 to 36 in.
Spread: 12 to 24 in.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Conditions: average, well-drained
Bloom Time: May to September
Native Range: most of the US except for NV, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, ND

Special Characteristics

Deer-resistant
Salt tolerant
Pollinator favorite

image credits

Image 1 (flower) @ The Old Dairy Nursery
Image 2 (flowers with Monarch caterpillar) Marshal Hedin from San Diego, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 3 (form) Jim Conrad, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons