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Butterfly Milkweed

Orange Butterflyweed

  • Asclepias tuberosa
  • Butterflyweed is an herbaceous perennial plant in the milkweed family. Its small stature and long season of bloom make it an attractive and easily integrated landscape plant. It works best planted among other natives and does tend to spread by seed once plants are established.
Pollinator Type
  • Bees, moths, wasps, flies, butterflies, caterpillars
Plant Type
  • Herbaceous perennial
Zone
  • 3 to 9
Height
  • 1 to 3 ft.
Spread
  • 1 to 2 ft.
Light
  • Full Sun
Moisture Requirement
  • Dry Soil, Medium Soil
Bloom Color
  • Orange
Bloom Time
  • June, July, August, September
Design Considerations
  • Good for borders and massing. Works well in many naturalized gardens or in the back of a native planting as taller backdrop or screen.
Care and Maintenance
  • Keep away from wet soil.
Pest and Diseases
  • Rust and leaf spot can be an issue. Crown rot may be an issue in poorly drained soils. Aphids are commonly found on orange butterflyweed.
Establishment and Propagation
  • Stratified seeds or sow outdoors in October.
Commercial Availability
  • Commonly available
Alternative Plant Selections
  • Swamp Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed
Native Status
  • Illinois native statewide
Fall Color
  • Insignificant
Growth habit
  • Clump forming
Number of Caterpillars that Use this as a Host Plant
  • NA

Photo Gallery
bee

Bees

butterfly

Butterflies

moth

Moths

fly

Flies

beetle

Beetles

wasp

Wasps