Flowering plants are grown by homeowners for different reasons; some grow for flowers, while others grow to attract bees and butterflies. Butterfly weed plant is one such variety that meets almost all the expectations of a gardener. Butterfly weed plant is one of the best among all the weeding plants and is known for its stunning bright orange-to-yellow blooms, rich in pollen and nectar. It grows in direct sunlight and well-drained soil. Just like many other plants, this too has some pest and disease threats. This blog has everything a gardener should know about this plant, including its care, pests, and disease problems, and the reasons to grow it.
Features of Butterfly Weed
Common Name- Butterfly weed, butterfly milkweed, pleurisy root, orange milkweed
Genus Species- Asclepias tuberosa
Family- Asclepiadaceae
Plant Type- Herbaceous, perennial
Size on Maturity- 1-2 feet tall and 12-18 inches wide
Light Requirement- Full sunlight
Type of Soil Needed- Dry and well-drained.
Soil pH- Acidic and neutral
Bloom Time- It blooms in summer
Color of the Flower- Orange, yellow
USDA Hardiness Zones- 3-9
Toxicity- Slightly toxic to humans and pets
Native- Eastern and Southern United States
Why Should You Grow Butterfly Weed Plants?
- We all know butterfly weed plants are preferred for their beautiful flowers and other qualities. Here are some additional reasons to grow the plant.
- It has grown to attract pollinators.
- It is also host to butterflies. These butterflies, at times, lay eggs on the plant, and you get to see caterpillars.
- It is a hardy species and resistant to disease.
- Blooms last from late spring until late summer.
- It is easy to grow and can bear drought too.
- It is resistant to deer, so it can always be a unique feature in the garden.
Butterfly Weed Variety
There are three different varieties of the plant, and most of them have orange flowers. Here are the types:
Hello Yellow- This variety has bright yellow colors.
Gay Butterflies- It has reddish flowers.
Western Gold Mix- It has golden-orange flowers.
Grow the Butterfly Weed Plant From Seed
Though propagating butterfly weed plants from stem cuttings is also an option to grow the plant, the best way to grow butterfly weed plants is from seeds. The success rate to grow from seeds is higher, so many gardeners opt for this method. Here are the steps:
- If you already have the plant in the garden, harvest seeds from the pods when they start to split. The seed pod splits towards the end of the growing season. When the seeds from the pods look brown, they’re ready to be planted.
- Collect seeds from all the pods in a small box and blow away snowflakes that come along with the seeds. On average, you will get around 25-30 seeds from one healthy pod.
- The next step is to store seeds in the refrigerator in a plastic pouch for around 60 days.
- Take the seeds out of the refrigerator in spring to sow them. Then, take the pre-moist soil mix and add a few seeds.
- Keep the pots outdoors. As the temperature gets warm, harden off seedlings and then transplant them to the garden.
How to Propagate Butterfly Weed Plants From Stem Cuttings?
This process is also easy, and here are the steps:
Step 1- Select a half-foot-long healthy stem and pinch off leaves from the lower bottom of the stem, leaving a few at the top.
Step 2- Take a jar of water and place the stem cutting into it.
Step 3- After a few weeks, you may notice the formation of roots.
Step 4- Once the roots emerge a few inches long, plant them in small pots.
Step 5- Keep the soil moist while the cutting is in the process of establishing itself.
Step 6- In a few weeks, transplant the new plant.
Caring Tips for the Butterfly Weed Plant
This plant takes a couple of years to flower, and once flowering starts, it remains for around two months (late spring until late summer). It produces seed pods that disperse seeds during windy days. Some of the caring tips are:
Light Requirement
Grow butterfly weed at a spot where it gets direct sunlight because it thrives in bright sunlight.
Type of Soil
As far as soil is concerned, it can grow in different soil conditions, but it needs neutral to slightly acidic pH and well-drained soil to thrive.
Watering Requirement
Water the plant regularly during its growing season, but once established, water only when needed. It can tolerate no watering as it’s a drought-resistant plant.
Humidity and Temperature Setting
It can adapt to different temperature and humidity settings, but the plant reaches its peak bloom during the warm summer months. The stem dries throughout autumn and winter. It only needs moist soil to thrive.
Amount of Fertilizer
Butterfly weed plants don't require additional fertilizer because it’s a low-maintenance plants. Rather, adding fertilizer can damage the plant and reduce its blooms.
Additional Information
Towards the end of the growing season, the seed pods turn brown and burst to spread seeds in the garden. The same seeds pop up into a new plant in the following growing season. The plant takes around three years to mature and produce flowers. The interesting feature is that while the plant matures, the blooms grow denser with each passing season.
Pests and Disease Problem
There are many insects that are pests, such as milkweed beetles. These beetles try to eat the seed, so throw such infested seeds to save other seeds of the plant. The other pest you may have to deal with is aphids, but the best thing is that aphids don’t kill the plant. As far as rabbits are concerned, they are a threat to the young seedlings because they tend to eat the young seedlings and even tender foliage.
Conclusion
Butterfly weed plant is one of the beautiful varieties of weeding plants prized for its vibrant orange flowers. It is preferred for multiple reasons, like easy-to-grow feature, bright bloom, resistance to pests and diseases, etc. You can easily grow this plant either using seeds or by propagating through stems. However, follow the care tips and provide the best growing conditions to enjoy the sight of beautiful blooms.
