Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Asclepias tuberosa
Source: OWSL
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Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclépiade tubéreuse

Synonyms

butterflyweed
orange milkweed
pleurisy root

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Orange Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
plant stratification Requires stratification
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
drought Tolerant Tolerates drought conditions
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Fun Facts

Butterfly milkweed is well suited for sunny, dry locations and performs best in well-drained soils, making it ideal for rock gardens, borders, and prairie-style plantings. Unlike other milkweeds, it does not spread aggressively, forming neat clumps that are easy to manage in smaller garden spaces.

It is a valuable plant for pollinators, attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects with its bright orange summer flowers. While it is not the preferred host for monarch caterpillars compared to other milkweeds, it can still support them and adds vibrant colour to mid-summer gardens

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias tuberosa
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias tuberosa

Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias tuberosa

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Asclepias (Milkweed Cultivars)
  • Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting:
    • Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.