Butterfly Milkweed
Vivid orange-red flat-topped clusters that monarchs and swallowtails cannot resist. Drought-proof once established.
Dangerous to cats
Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap carries heart-affecting compounds, so a substantial ingestion is worth a vet call rather than a wait and see.
Handle with care
The milky sap irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves to cut it, and keep your hands away from your face until you have washed them.
Bloom Season
Jun - Aug
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Sun Requirements
○ Full Sun6+ hours direct
Water Needs
Low
Drought tolerant
Size & Zones
18-24" tall
USDA Zones 3-9
Bloom Colors
Orange
Yellow
Traits
♣ Native Species✿ Pollinator Friendly△ Deer Resistant✦ Low Maintenance❖ Hummingbird Magnet
Soil
SandyPoor SoilLoam
Where to buy
Find Butterfly Milkweed plants on Amazon.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, What's Bloomin' earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.
Pairs Well With
Further Listening
Ep. 223: The Magnificence of Milkweeds
In Defense of Plants
A tour of the genus Asclepias, well past the handful of milkweeds most people plant.
Ep. 478: Milkweed Defense De-Escalation
In Defense of Plants
On why milkweeds vary so much in their chemical defenses, and what that means for the insects that eat them.
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