Flowers > New for 2026
1 7

Quick Info

PLANT IN

March - June

SUN/SHADE

Full sun

PLANTING DEPTH

1/4 inch

SPACE SEEDS

2 - 4 inches

DAYS TO GERMINATE

14 - 21 days

MATURE HEIGHT

18 - 24 inches

Butterfly Asclepias

Orange Milkweed

Orange Milkweed

(Asclepias tuberosa)

1 7

Quick Info

PLANT IN

March - June

SUN/SHADE

Full sun

PLANTING DEPTH

1/4 inch

SPACE SEEDS

2 - 4 inches

DAYS TO GERMINATE

14 - 21 days

MATURE HEIGHT

18 - 24 inches
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Milkweed is a hassle-free heirloom and an important food source for endangered Monarch butterfly caterpillars. It also supplies nectar to many other butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees and native bees. The flat-topped, tangerine-orange flower clusters glow in the summer garden like pollinator landing strips. Once established, this hardy perennial is drought tolerant and deer resistant. Adaptable and non-aggressive, it reliably returns bushier and more robust year after year. 

Seed Count: Approx. 45-50 / Weight: 200 mg

$ 3.69
$ 3.69
Sale Sold out

 -  SKU:5713

Special Features

renees garden heirloom feature renees garden pollinator feature

Quick Info

PLANT IN

March - June

SUN/SHADE

Full sun

PLANTING DEPTH

1/4 inch

SPACE SEEDS

2 - 4 inches

DAYS TO GERMINATE

14 - 21 days

MATURE HEIGHT

18 - 24 inches

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GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

PERENNIAL

Summer bloom. Hardy to USDA zone 3.

BEST TO PLANT DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN

Sow seed 2 to 4 inches apart in a finely textured, well-worked garden bed in full sun once danger of frost is past. Cover ¼ inch deep and keep moist as seedlings emerge. Thin to stand 10 inches apart when seedlings are large enough to handle.

TO START EARLY INDOORS

Start seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix and cover ¼ inch deep. Keep warm and moist; provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant out. Once danger of frost is past, gradually acclimate plants to outdoor conditions, then transplant into the garden 10 inches apart into well drained soil in full sun.

GROWING NOTES

Asclepias needs full sun and excellent drainage. No extra fertilizer is needed except in very poor soil. In sunny borders, plants are host to Monarch butterflies and provide nectar to honeybees, wild bees and other pollinators. Foliage dies back in cold winter climates, but reliably sprouts back from the crowns come spring. Plants can take drier conditions once well established.