Butterfly Milkweed Is More Than Just a Pretty Bloom—It's a Lifeline
Looking for a native that pulls double duty—bringing bright blooms and serious ecological power to your project? Meet Asclepias tuberosa, aka Butterfly Milkweed. This fiery-orange stunner is more than just a pretty face—it’s a pollinator powerhouse and a no-fuss favorite for tough sites across New York and beyond.
Native to most of the U.S. and thriving in full sun, Butterfly Milkweed brings a bold burst of color from June through August with clusters of bright orange-yellow blooms. Its clumping habit (about 1–1.5’ wide) and upright form (1–2.5’ tall) make it an easy addition to meadows, roadsides, planting beds, or even compact urban landscapes looking for a pop of color and native flair.
But here’s where it really earns its stripes: Butterfly Milkweed is essential—and we mean ESSENTIAL—for Monarch butterflies. It's one of the few native milkweeds that serve as a host plant for Monarch larvae, meaning it’s not just attractive to pollinators—it’s critical for their survival. And Monarchs aren’t the only fans: hummingbirds, bees, and other butterflies flock to its nectar-rich flowers.
Want even more reasons to love it?
Butterfly Milkweed is highly deer resistant, drought tolerant, and thrives in poor, dry soils—thanks to its prairie roots and taproot system.
Want even more reasons to love it? Butterfly Milkweed is highly deer resistant, drought tolerant, and thrives in poor, dry soils—thanks to its prairie roots and taproot system. Just make sure it has good drainage, and it’ll handle heat and drought like a champ. It’s also easy to grow from seed and can self-seed in the landscape if you let those spindle-shaped pods split and float.
As those pods dry and break open, they release seeds with silky, wispy tails—perfect for wind dispersal and natural regeneration. Come fall, it adds texture and movement, even as the blooms fade.
Looking to pack color, ecological impact, and low-maintenance appeal into one native species?
Butterfly Milkweed brings blazing blooms, Monarch magic, and serious site toughness in a compact, hard-working package.
