(Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’)

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Butterfly Weed Milkweed is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in prairies, open woods, fields, and along roadsides throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features hairy upright stems, slim lance-shaped leaves, and showy clusters of orangish yellow flower tops. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and has medicinal properties! 

2017 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association
  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
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​Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Asclepias

Species: tuberosa

Variety: Butterfly Weed Milkweed

Also Known As: Pleurisy Root, Orange Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed.

Native to: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Ease of Growing: Moderate

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): Summer

Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). 

Containers?: Yes. This widely used native milkweed has more compact growth, although it does have underground rhizomes, so I would suggest using a 10″ pot or larger, depending on the size of your plant.

Height: 24-36”
 
Spacing: 15-18”

​Sow Depth: 1/8"
 
USDA Zone: 3-10

Produces: hairy upright stems, slim lance-shaped leaves, and showy clusters of orangish yellow flower tops

Uses: Butterfly gardens, meadows, prairies, or naturalized/native plant areas. Also effective in sunny borders.
In late fall, direct sow just below the surface in full sun and sandy or well drained soil. This plant also tolerates dry or rocky soil. Plant three seeds together every 15-18 inches. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.
Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate drought, and the roots will be damaged by excessively wet soil. Butterfly Weed grows slowly, and this plant may take 2-3 years to produce flowers. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer avoid this plant. If aphids become a problem, dislodge them from the plant with a strong stream of water.
This makes a striking cut flower. Because the stems contain no milky sap, these flowers tend to have a longer vase life than most milkweed varieties. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened.
After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4” narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
Also commonly called pleurisy root in reference to a prior medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Tagetes (marigolds), Morning glory and Sunflower to attract aphid predators.

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