Butterfly Weed: A Gardener’s Guide to Planting, Care, and Benefits
What is Butterfly Weed?
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a herbaceous perennial native to North America. It is a member of the milkweed family and is closely related to the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Butterfly weed is characterized by its bright orange flowers, which bloom from June to August. It is a valuable plant for pollinators, particularly butterflies, and is often used in butterfly gardens and meadows.
Planting and Care
- Planting: Butterfly weed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, but it is important to avoid planting in areas with standing water. Butterfly weed can be planted from seed or from transplants.
- Watering: Water butterfly weed regularly, especially during the first year after planting. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and can survive with minimal watering.
- Fertilizing: Butterfly weed does not require fertilization. In fact, over-fertilizing can harm the plant.
- Pruning: Butterfly weed can be pruned back to the ground in late fall or early spring. This will help to promote new growth and flowering.
Benefits of Butterfly Weed
- Attracts pollinators: Butterfly weed is a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Its bright orange flowers are a beacon for these beneficial insects, which play a vital role in our ecosystem.
- Provides host plant for monarch butterflies: Butterfly weed is an important host plant for monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars feed on the leaves of butterfly weed, and the adult butterflies lay their eggs on the plant.
- Low maintenance: Butterfly weed is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow. It is drought-tolerant and does not require fertilization.
Common Issues
- Self-seeding: Butterfly weed can self-seed aggressively, which can be a problem in some gardens. To prevent self-seeding, remove the seed pods before they mature and burst open.
- Rabbit damage: Rabbits may feed on butterfly weed. To protect the plant, use rabbit repellant or fencing.
- Root rot: Butterfly weed is susceptible to root rot if it is planted in dense, wet soil. To prevent root rot, plant butterfly weed in well-drained soil.
How to Grow Butterfly Weed from Seed
Butterfly weed can be easily grown from seed.
- Collect seeds: Collect seeds from mature seed pods in the fall.
- Cold stratification: Place the seeds in moist seed starting mix and refrigerate for two months.
- Germination: Remove the seeds from the refrigerator eight weeks before the last expected frost and place them in a warm spot under grow lights. Keep the seeds moist but not soggy.
- Transplanting: Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, pot them up in potting soil and continue to grow inside. Harden off the seedlings for a week before transplanting them into the garden.
Is Butterfly Weed Bad for Monarchs?
Unlike common milkweed, butterfly weed does not have caustic milky sap. This makes it a safer plant for gardens with children or pets. However, butterfly weed can still be harmful to monarchs if they consume large amounts of the plant. The toxins in butterfly weed can cause digestive problems and even death. It is important to provide monarchs with a variety of milkweed species, including both common milkweed and butterfly weed, to ensure their health and survival.
Additional Tips
- Deadheading: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms throughout the season.
- Companion planting: Plant butterfly weed with other plants that attract pollinators, such as purple coneflower, Liatris, and globe thistle.
- Overwintering: Butterfly weed is hardy in zones 3-9. In colder climates, it is important to mulch around the plant to protect it from freezing temperatures.