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Key characteristics

Family: Apocynaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 1 to 2 feet
Flower color: Bright orange clusters
Foliage color: Green, lance-shaped leaves
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
Light: Full sun
Water: Low; drought-tolerant at maturity
Maintenance: Low; cut back in late fall or early spring to encourage new growth
Growing zone: USDA zones 3–9
Wildlife: Butterflies, especially monarchs, and other pollinators

Perennials

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as butterfly milkweed, is a vibrant perennial that produces clusters of bright orange to reddish-orange flowers during its blooming season, which extends from late spring through summer. The showy blooms are highly attractive to pollinators, particularly butterflies, making it a favorite for wildlife gardens. Its upright stems and lance-shaped leaves provide a handsome backdrop to the colorful flower heads.

Native to North America, Asclepias tuberosa thrives in open fields, prairies, and sunny meadows, reflecting its origins as a resilient wildflower.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low; drought-tolerant at maturity

Bloom time

Late spring to early fall

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Coreopsis · Russian sage · Sedums · Peonies · Coneflowers · Salvias

Design tip

Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)