Butterfly Weed

About this plant

Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as Butterfly Weed, is a show-stopping perennial that brings a burst of fiery orange to your landscape. Unlike many milkweeds, it does not produce the milky sap, making it a garden-friendly choice for vibrant color and ecological impact. Its striking flower clusters emerge in early summer and continue to bloom through August, providing a long season of visual delight. Beyond its stunning aesthetic appeal, Butterfly Weed is a vital host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, playing an indispensable role in their lifecycle. The nectar-rich flowers also attract a diverse array of other pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds, and various butterfly species, transforming your garden into a buzzing oasis of life and activity. This resilient and low-maintenance native perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained locations, making it an excellent choice for borders, meadows, rock gardens, and naturalized areas. Its drought tolerance once established further adds to its appeal as a sustainable and beautiful addition to any landscape design.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average to dry, well-drained soils. Once established, it is remarkably drought tolerant. No significant pest or disease issues. Cut back spent flowers to promote new blooms and prevent unwanted self-seeding. Allow some seed pods to mature for winter interest and to provide sustenance for birds, or to encourage naturalization.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.