Plant Profile

Butterfly Weed - (Asclepias tuberosa) is a tuberous-rooted, native, herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is found in dry, rocky open-woods, glades, prairies, fields, and roadsides across a wide area of eastern and southern North America, including Mexico. The genus name, Asclepias, honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. The species epithet, tuberosa, is Latin and refers to the tuberous roots. 

The plant is upright, typically growing in clumps 1 to 3 feet tall and is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought-tolerant and does well in poor, dry soils. The plant grows easily from seed, but expect it will take two to three years to establish and produce flowers. Mature plants may freely self-seed in the landscape if seed pods (follicles) are not removed before they split open. Butterfly weed does not transplant well due to its deep taproot and is probably best left undisturbed once established.

Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species has clear sap. So be sure to wear gloves when aggressively handling butterfly weed, as the clear sap may cause contact dermatitis.  Butterfly weed is a food source for larvae of the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly, as well as the Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes egle). 

This plant is a great choice for a meadow garden, native garden or pollinator, with showy yellow-orange flower clusters topping its upright stems. Pair it with other plants like native, ornamental grasses and wildflowers, such as asters and purple coneflowers, to create a butterfly habitat.