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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: ApocynaceaeGenus: AsclepiasSpecies: tuberosa
Cultivar
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa 'Butterfly Milkweed'
Cultivar: Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa is a sturdy, clump-forming native perennial that brings a splash of intense color to sunny garden borders and wildflower meadows. It is highly valued for its long-lasting, bright orange, nectar-rich flower clusters that attract a wide variety of pollinators throughout the summer. Once established, this plant is remarkably drought-tolerant and thrives in lean, well-draining soils where other perennials might struggle.
Butterfly Milkweed is a vibrant, drought-tolerant native perennial prized for its brilliant orange flowers and essential role as a host plant for monarch butterflies.
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18-plant pack · Ship
$67.59per pack
$67.59 total
2160 plants available · max 120 packs
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Orders generally ship within 3–7 days after purchase. Agardeni gives priority to USPS Priority Mailfor standard live-plant shipments when practical.
USPS Priority Mail typically has a 2–3 day delivery objective after shipment, but delivery times are not guaranteed.
Weather & Temperature Risk
Agardeni ships from Florida and does not monitor destination temperatures nationwide. Customers are responsible for considering local weather conditions and retrieving packages promptly after delivery.
Agardeni is not responsible for plant damage caused by freezing temperatures, frost, excessive heat, or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures at the destination.
Inspect live plants promptly after delivery. Eligible plant-condition claims must be submitted within 48 hours of confirmed delivery.
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Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
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Plant Profile
Grow Butterfly Milkweed with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Full sun
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Water
Moderate to low; drought tolerant once established, but requires consistent moisture during the first growing season.
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Mature size
1-2 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet wide
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Hardiness
3-9
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial
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Plant type
Perennial
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Requires excellent drainage, especially in winter; avoid excessive moisture which can lead to crown rot. Does not like being moved once established due to its deep taproot.
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Climate note
Fully hardy to Zone 3; goes dormant in winter, returning from the base in late spring.
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Flower / fruit
Blooms with flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers from early to late summer; produces ornamental seed pods in autumn.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Full sun
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Growth rate
Moderate
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Fertilizer
Generally requires little to no fertilizer; a light application of balanced organic compost in spring is sufficient if soil is very lean.
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Pruning
Cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Deadheading may encourage a smaller second flush of blooms.
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Care notes
Requires excellent drainage, especially in winter; avoid excessive moisture which can lead to crown rot. Does not like being moved once established due to its deep taproot.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
1-2 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet wide
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial
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Spacing
12-18 inches apart
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Blooms with flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers from early to late summer; produces ornamental seed pods in autumn.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
3-9
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Temperature
Fully hardy to Zone 3; goes dormant in winter, returning from the base in late spring.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Moderate to low; drought tolerant once established, but requires consistent moisture during the first growing season.
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Soil
Sandy, rocky, or well-draining loamy soil; will not tolerate heavy, waterlogged clay.
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Soil pH
6.0 - 7.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Suitable for deep pots if soil drainage is excellent; ensure the container is deep enough to accommodate a significant taproot.
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Family
Apocynaceae
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Foliage Look
Dark green, lance-shaped, rough-textured foliage with prominent midveins.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are alternate, lanceolate, and typically have a slightly rough or hairy texture.
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Fruit Flower Look
Bright orange, star-shaped florets arranged in dense, flat-topped clusters.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flowers are produced in terminal, flat-topped cymes; do not show flowers on juvenile plugs.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintains an upright, clumping habit; ensure images do not show sprawling or trailing growth.
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Mature Plant Look
Compact, upright clump topped with vibrant clusters of brilliant orange blossoms.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Upright, sturdy stems with rough, hairy, alternate leaves; develops a thick, woody taproot.
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Morphology Rules
Should appear as a non-woody, herbaceous perennial; ensure stems are upright and leaves are clearly alternate.
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Plant Faqs
Is Butterfly Milkweed deer resistant? Yes, it is generally considered deer and rabbit resistant. Does it attract butterflies? It is a favorite nectar source for many butterflies and a host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Can it grow in clay soil? It struggles in heavy, wet clay; amend soil for better drainage.
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Root Look
Healthy, white-to-light-tan roots filling the plug cell.
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Soil Look
Well-draining, slightly gritty or sandy potting substrate.
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Starter Stage
Small, green-leafed plug with a developing root system.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Typically shows 2-4 pairs of alternate, lance-shaped leaves; stems may be slightly pubescent.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Butterfly Milkweed. This is Butterfly Milkweed, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let Butterfly Milkweed become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future growing space you want to create. This beautiful native perennial produces clusters of brilliant orange flowers that serve as an essential nectar source for butterflies and pollinators throughout the summer months. Establish your starter by moving the plug into a four-inch pot with a well-draining mix, then later transition it to a permanent sunny location in your landscape once it is established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Milkweed native plants pollinator garden monarch habitat drought tolerant perennial plants Agardeni gardening tips orange flowers
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Youtube Video Summary
Butterfly Milkweed is a stunning native perennial that supports monarch butterflies and other pollinators with its vivid orange flowers. Learn how to grow this hardy, drought-tolerant favorite in your own landscape.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) for Pollinators
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Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.