Butterfly Weed is one of the best plants for attracting butterflies, especially Monarchs, and is also loved by bees and hummingbirds.
Unlike most milkweeds, Butterfly Weed doesn’t have milky latex sap, making it easy to identify among its relatives.
It develops a strong taproot, making it drought-tolerant once established, but also difficult to transplant—best planted where it can stay.
Historically used by indigenous people for respiratory ailments and called “pleurisy root” for its role in treating lung conditions.
Serves as a host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae, as well as Queen and Soldier butterflies, supporting multiple species.
Butterfly Weed is one of the best plants for attracting butterflies, especially Monarchs, and is also loved by bees and hummingbirds.
Unlike most milkweeds, Butterfly Weed doesn’t have milky latex sap, making it easy to identify among its relatives.
It develops a strong taproot, making it drought-tolerant once established, but also difficult to transplant—best planted where it can stay.
Historically used by indigenous people for respiratory ailments and called “pleurisy root” for its role in treating lung conditions.
Serves as a host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae, as well as Queen and Soldier butterflies, supporting multiple species.
Bloom time: early to mid-summer
Habitats: abandoned sandy fields; areas along railroads; cemetery prairies; hill prairies; open rocky woodlands; roadside embankments; sandy savannas; shale and sandstone glades; upland sand prairies
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic to dry
Plant type (height): forb (1 to 2.5 feet)
Requirements: full sun
Soil: acidic soil that is rocky or sandy
