Butterfly Weed Care
Asclepias tuberosa
It prefers full-sun areas and sandy, gravelly, very well-drained poor soil. It is known for its bright orange flowers that attract butterflies and for its drought tolerance; because of its deep taproot, it does not like being moved.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Fertilizing: Not required, do not fertilize.
- General care: The plant is dormant. Make sure the soil drains well.
- Pests & diseases: Root rot is the biggest risk in winter.
- Pruning: If dead stems from the previous year are still standing, cut them back to near soil level before new growth begins.
- General care: Remove weeds around the plant.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: If you have not cut the dry stalks, cut them now.
- General care: Note that the plant will wake late in spring, so mark its location.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for soil pests.
- Watering: For young plants, water 5 L/m² per week if the soil is dry. Mature plants usually do not need it.
- General care: New shoots may begin to appear gradually; be patient.
- Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots.
- Watering: Once a week, 5-10 L/m².
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: Aphids (often yellow) may be seen; they are generally harmless; wash them off with a strong jet of water.
- General care: The plant begins to grow rapidly.
- Pests & diseases: Avoid spraying for aphids because it can harm butterfly larvae.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: Continue checking for aphids; avoid using chemicals.
- General care: Observe the flowering period and the butterflies.
- Pests & diseases: Healthy plants can tolerate aphids.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Fertilizing: Never apply fertilizer.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Seed capsules begin to form.
- Pests & diseases: Yellowing of leaves may occur during extreme heat; this is normal.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: If you want to collect seeds, collect the capsules before they turn brown and open.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The plant gradually prepares to enter dormancy.
- Pests & diseases: Check drainage against the risk of root rot.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow; you can leave the dry stalks for the winter landscape.
- Pests & diseases: General cleaning.
- Pruning: If you wish, you can cut the dry stalks now, or you can wait for spring.
- General care: The plant goes fully dormant.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- General care: Observation only.
- Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage works well during winter rains.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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