How to Grow Butterfly Flower

Perennial, Asclepias Tuberosa

Butterfly Flower is a perennial flower that attracts butterflies. It is also commonly called the butterfly weed, milkweed, and butterfly milkweed. Unlike other milkweeds, the sap is not milky. It is native to U.S., east of the Rocky Mountains. Although, today, it's grown in every state.

Bright orange flowers bloom in mid-summer. The blooms sit atop plants that grow 24" - 36" Tall. After blooming, seeds form in light green pods.

Butterfly flowers looks great in flower beds, rock gardens, or as container plants. They are good as cut flowers. Make sure to plant them where you can see butterflies floating to them in  light breeze. Monarch butterflies, and other butterflies feed on foliage. Many butterflies will be attracted to the nectar of open blooms.

Important Note: Most parts of the Butterfly flower are toxic. Keep them away from children or pets.

Plant Height: 2 feet.

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Plant Propagation:

Butterfly Flower are grown from seed. Sow Butterfly flower seeds directly into your flower garden. Plant them 1/8" to 1/4" deep. Or, start the indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.

You can also dig out the replant the tuberous roots.

Days to Germination: 14-28

Tip: If started indoors, use a germination mat to help speed seed sprouts.

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How to Grow Butterfly Flower:

The low maintenance Butterfly Flower plant likes full to partial sun. They prefer sandy, well drained soil. They are drought tolerant. They do not like heavy, clay soils that retain a lot of moisture. Water them only in the driest conditions.

Plants set out this year, will bloom the following year.

Adding a general purpose fertilizer once or twice during the season will help to promote maximum growth and bloom. We recommend one fertilizer feeding a couple weeks prior to blooming. The pre-bloom feeding should be high in phosphorous.

Butterfly Flower require little maintenance. Once established, they will thrive all season long. In the fall, the plant will die back to ground level. The following spring, new sprouts will appear from the tuberous roots.

Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to Summer

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Insect and Disease:

Insect and disease problems are not too common. Apply an insecticide or a fungicide, only if a problem occurs. 

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