How to Grow Butterfly Weed

Last Updated: August 6, 2020

Are you growing a garden and wish to attract more butterflies? Butterfly Weed is great for attracting butterflies, insects, and even hummingbirds! Butterfly Weed can be either planted outside in Autumn, or indoors right after Winter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Planting Outdoors

1
Purchase Butterfly Weed seeds. Plant nurseries, plant stores, and nature stores sell them.
2
Decide where you want to plant them in your garden.^{[1]
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- Butterfly Weed grows well in many types of soil, whether it's dry soil, clay soil, or rocky soil.
- Butterfly Weed needs a place with lots of sun. Having shade doesn't hurt either.
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3
Prepare the "Things You Need" listed below once late Autumn has arrived.
4
Dig a hole using the spade approximately ¼" (½ cm) deep to place the seeds in.
5
Sow the seeds into the soil where you dug.
6
Cover the seeds with the soil.
7
Wait for the Butterfly Weed to start growing in the springtime.
8
Make sure the plants are well watered, but not overwatered.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Planting Indoors

1
Purchase the seeds if you haven't already.
2
Find a medium sized pot to plant them in. The seeds should be planted in early Spring.
3
Pour soil into the pot.
4
Plant the seeds about 1/4 deep in the soil.^{[3]
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5
Cover the seeds with soil.
6
Make sure the soil is moist.^{[4]
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7
Wait for the plant to grow.
8
Transplant the young plant outside once they have started growing. Choose a spot with lots of sun.^{[5]
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9
Continue to lightly water the Butterfly Weeds once they are outside.

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Community Q&A

Question

Why does this have to be planted in the fall? Is it at all like Milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies?

Community Answer

First off, Butterfly weed is a type of Milkweed that attracts Monarch butterflies as well as other types. If you plant the seeds outside in the fall, it allows the seeds to grow naturally in the spring, as if it was in the wild.

Things you Will Need

Butterfly Weed Seeds
A spot in the garden to plant them
A gardening pot (if starting them inside)
Soil
A gardening spade

Warnings

Butterfly Weed roots do not like to be transplanted. Once they are fully grown, prevent relocating them to a new location.

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Aphids are the Butterfly Weed's main pests.

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Butterfly Weed is toxic to humans and animals. Be careful if you have your pet around these plants.

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Avoid planting in very wet soils, as root rot can become an issue.

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