Milkweed- Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) (Florida Native)

Milkweed- Butterflyweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed is a perennial plant native to Florida, as well as eastern North America. It can grow over 3 feet but tends to stay around 2ft. Around the 2nd or 3rd year, A. tuberosa will bloom clusters of yellow/orange flowers that attract butterflies/pollinators.

Although the larval host plant for the Queen and Monarch butterflies, A. tuberosa does not have high concentrations of the milky sap, making it a last choice for the Monarch to lay her eggs if other milkweeds are around.

Butterflyweed prefers dry/sandy soil and full sun, and does very well in Florida. Butterflyweed can adapt to almost any Florida soil type as long as its well draining. Save the well amended areas for the fruits and veggies. Butterflyweed needs regular watering throughout it's early days, but is very drought tolerant when established.

Direct sow in the Fall to let the seeds over-winter for a Spring and Summer bloom. If planting seeds in the Spring or Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification, and are only planted about 1/4in deep to just under the surface.

Butterflyweed is whats known as an herbaceous perennial.

These are perennial plants with a non-woody stem that "dies back" to the rootstock or crown overwinter while their root systems remain alive underground.  The Butterflyweed makes a tap root up 4-6 inches long, that it will regrow from year to year. Be aware of the large roots if transplanting.

Contrary to some in the plant industry, we continue to sell this milkweed even when dormant in the winter because that is the best time to transplant. So yes, until spring emergence, you will be buying what looks like a pot of dirt. Rest assured, every plant's root system is thoroughly inspected before shipping.