Orange Milkweed (Butterfly Weed)
Perennial
- Vibrant orange flowers support local pollinators!
- Blooms continuously through summer.
- Host plant to Monarch and Queen butterflies.
- Native perennial that is deer and disease-resistant.
- Zones 3-9, sun, 2' tall x 1.5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Butterfly weed
Zone: 3 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 1 - 2' tall X 1 - 1.5' wide
Flower color: Orange
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rain gardens, rabbit resistant, native, dry soils, deer resistant, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, border, cottage gardening, erosion control or embankment, ground cover, massing, naturalizing, slopes, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Water: Dry to medium moisture
Spacing: 1-1.5 feet apart
Fertilizing: It doesn't need consistent fertilizing. You can do a very light application the first summer after planting.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed.
Propagation & pruning: Plants will self sow. Seeds can be gathered and started, though a started plant will take a few years to flower. Because of a very deep taproot, moving or dividing is not recommended. No pruning is needed.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
These came in great shape for being 100+ degrees outside daily.
Exceptional packaging to keep plants from getting damaged.
Will buy again soon. Great seller :)
Much smaller than I expected for the 1 qt size. The monarchs will have to wait til next year!
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary.
Arrived and plants had come out of pot. Very small considering price.
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary.
I purchased 3 Orange Milkweeds. I was excited. They were a little tattered when I got them but I was still hopeful. Two are dead but one is still holding on. Fingers crossed for my one. This is my first time ordering from this company. However my roses are thriving which is why I still gave a four star.
We’re sorry you’re having trouble with your plants! Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
The Butterfly Weed plants I received were packed well and very healthy.
My second try receiving through mail - no luck.
We apologize that you received plants that are not up to our standards. While we try our best to provide exceptional service, some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control, and issues like this can sometimes happen. Please email pictures of the plants to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we have a 60-day guarantee on all our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we would be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
Tuberosa grows very thick, allowing butterflies to lay eggs and the eggs remain better protected. Baby caterpillars seem to like it less but bigger caterpillars eat the thick leaves right up.
I bought three plants and all three grew and bloomed beautifully the first summer. Planted in full sun and they bloomed well into early fall. I saw more happy bees and butterflies in my yard than I've seen in the four years I've lived here, and spotted quite a few monarch caterpillars munching away.
The plants all arrived during our hot summer, and had taken longer than I thought, so they were very dry. The Milkweed still has green leaves, hasn't grown. I have put it in a large pot so I can keep an eye on it through the winter.
Planted! Fingers crossed.
The orange milkweed plants are healthy and thriving. Nature cooperated and gave us a few days of rain, which is unusual for this time of the year, but it’s helping them get off to a good start.
Plants arrived in great shape. unpacked them, gave them water and a few days of adjustment. They are now in my garden and growing.
I bought 3 Orange butterfly milkweed. Planted them last fall. Only 2 came up this year, but I am so excited one has a flower already.
I purchased 2 orange milkweed butterfly plants .,both arrived in great condition. One plant seems to be growing much better than the other. I am anxious to see the bushes grow and flowerc
Arrived in great shape. Planted right away and all are doing well
I was hoping this milkweed would stay the course, but it didn't. I was beautiful for a summer and a half and then it just died.
We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants. Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Please contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants so we can better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
2 of the 3 arrived in good shape and are doing well the 3rd was very small and did not survive, I planted within 2 days of getting them.
We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants. Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Please contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants so we can better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
I purchased 2 of them for my daughter for Mother's day. Within a week they were chewed down to nothing.
We're sorry that the deer enjoyed your plants before you could. Young plants are especially susceptible to deer damage, so we highly recommend protecting new plants in areas with high deer traffic. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!
My Butterfly Bushes are sprouting the healthiest full leaves so far. I was worried because the plant was bare, but all is well! HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE.
Irma R Hall
Orange Milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa
I have ordered many times from Great Garden Plants and every item was received in great shape, This orange milkweed was no exception. I can hardly wait for it to bloom!
I’m anxious for summer to come so the butterflies will have something to eat and on which to lay their eggs The plants are healthy and arrived in great shape. We will continue to order from Great Garden Plants everything I’ve ordered this year has been excellent.
They arrived i great condition, packed with care!
When I was told the plants were in 4” pots I expected plants that that were better established. What I received looked like the seed germinated, got transferred to the shipping pot and mailed all in the same week. I am disappointed.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/bb-guaranteed