Butterfly Weed plant profile
Asclepias tuberosa
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Butterfly Weed
Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It grows from seed sown in spring but takes two to three years to establish and flower, and its deep taproot makes it hard to transplant.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Butterfly Weed in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3 to 9Find my hardiness zone
Next steps
Continue with Butterfly Weed
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed)
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Milkweed (Asclepias species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.