Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

Native perennial • Monarch host plant • Drought tolerant

Asclepias tuberosa is a brilliant orange milkweed with high monarch value, deep taproots, and a love for full sun. One of the most drought-tolerant native perennials, perfect for hot, dry, sunny locations.

Light

• Full sun
  
  

• 6–10 hours direct sun ideal
  
  

More sun = dense bloom + sturdy stems.

Water

• Moderate during establishment
  
  

• Deeply drought tolerant once established
  
  

• Thrives in hot, dry, lean soil
  
  

Avoid wet soils, root rot risk.

Soil

• Sandy or rocky soils ideal
  
  

• Well-drained soil REQUIRED
  
  

• Avoid clay unless well-amended
  
  

• Doesn't like wet sites or rain gardens
  
  

This is a dryland milkweed.

 Hardiness

• USDA Zones 3–9
  
  

• Heat tolerant
  
  

• Incredibly resilient once established
  
  

Blooming

• Summer bloom
  
  

• Vibrant orange flower clusters
  
  

• Supports:
  
  

  • monarch caterpillars (host)
    
    

  • monarch adults
    
    

  • native bees
    
    

  • swallowtails
    
    

  • beneficial insects
    
    

Extremely high wildlife value.

 Monarch Host Plant

Leaves feed monarch caterpillars.
Flowers feed adults.
Plant multiple for better survival.

Growth Habit

• Upright perennial
  
  

• Fine foliage
  
  

• 1–2 ft tall
  
  

• Slow to establish (deep taproot)
  
  

• Lives a long time once settled
  
  

Planting Notes

Depth:

• Plant crown level
  
  

• Do NOT bury the crown
  
  

Spacing:

• 18–24 inches
  
  

Avoid moving once established (taproot dislikes disturbance).

Best Landscape Uses

• Full-sun pollinator gardens
  
  

• Native meadow borders
  
  

• Driveway plantings
  
  

• Xeric plantings
  
  

• Hot dry slopes
  
  

• Sustainable low-water landscapes
  
  

Companion Plants

Pairs beautifully with:

• Coreopsis
  
  

• Rudbeckia
  
  

• Liatris
  
  

• Echinacea
  
  

• Solidago
  
  

• Monarda
  
  

• Little bluestem
  
  

• Butterfly bush (native replacements recommended)
  
  

 Native Value

One of the most important dry habitat milkweeds for monarch conservation.

⚠ Common Problems

Floppy growth

Not enough sun.

Yellowing foliage

Too much water.

Rotting roots

Poor drainage or clay soils.