Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)Native: Eastern and Southern North America (from Quebec to Florida and west to Arizona and Utah).Identified: Aug 23, 2025
Butterfly milkweed is a perennial herb with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. It produces clusters of vibrant orange, yellow, or red flowers, typically in flat-topped cymes. After flowering, it produces distinctive elongated seed pods (follicles) that split open to release seeds with silky white hairs.
Learn more about Butterfly Milkweed in the encyclopedia →Care instructions
Butterfly milkweed thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and does not require much fertilization. Water regularly during dry periods, especially when young. It is important to avoid pesticides, as it is a crucial host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars.