Butterfly Milkweed

Butterfly Milkweed produces an abundance of stems filled with long-lasting bright orange blooms. It attracts Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators and is an important larval host plant for monarchs and other butterflies. Though it emerges later in the spring, it is a hardy perennial that can withstand sunny, dry locations. It does not have a milky white sap like other milkweed species. Both the blooms and pods are used in cut flower arrangements.

The plant is an important host plant for Monarch, Queen and Grey Hairstreak butterflies, as well as several moths including main pollinators are Dogbane tiger and Milkweed tussock moths. it is also deer resistant.

Butterfly milkweed prefers sandy or well-drained soil and full sun. Though it establishes a tap root, it can be transplanted when dormant, re-growing even if the taproot is damaged. Aphids can be attracted to the plant though these can be either removed with a blast of water from a hose or left to be eaten by predator insects like Ladybugs.

The plant is found naturally throughout eastern and southwestern North America in dry, well drained soils and along streams.

Other common names for the plant include butterfly weed, orange milkweed and Pleurisy root.

Variation in the color of the flowers from deep red-orange to yellow-orange may be due to the mineral content of the soil. European pioneers made candle wicks by spinning the down from the seed pods.