Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a tough, beautiful native perennial that earns its keep in the garden. Also known as Orange Milkweed or Butterfly Weed, this variety stands out for its bright orange blooms and its ability to thrive where other plants struggle. Unlike common milkweed, it has little to no milky sap and a tidy, clump-forming habit.

Plants start shipping in spring after danger of freezing and will come in robust 2" plugs. 

Why Grow Butterfly Milkweed?

🦋 Monarch & Pollinator Magnet
A critical host plant for monarch caterpillars and a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

🔥 Drought-Tough & Low Maintenance
Once established, it handles heat and dry conditions with ease—perfect for low-input gardens.

🌼 Long-Lasting Color
Produces vibrant orange flower clusters that bloom for weeks and look great in pollinator gardens, borders, and wildflower patches.

Growing Information

🌱 Plant Type: Perennial flowering native
🌱 Hardiness Zones: 3–9
🌱 When to Plant: Spring after last frost or early fall
🌱 Use: Grown for flowers, seed saving, and pollinator support

Cultivation Tips

• Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and actually does better in poor or sandy soils than rich, heavily amended beds. Avoid soggy areas.
• Sunlight: Full sun is best—6+ hours per day for strong growth and flowering.
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, it is very drought tolerant and needs minimal supplemental watering.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning needed. You can cut plants back by about ⅓ in early summer to encourage bushier growth, or leave stems standing until spring for overwintering beneficial insects—avoid pruning while monarch caterpillars are present.
  

Butterfly milkweed can be slow to emerge in spring—don’t panic if it’s late to wake up. It has a deep taproot, so it does best when planted where you intend it to stay. Deer tend to leave it alone, and it comes back reliably year after year. It's a great choice if you want to support pollinators without babysitting your plants. 

Our plugs are nursery-grown and well-rooted, making them easier to establish than direct seeding—especially for beginner growers.

Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.