Butterfly Weed Seeds – Orange Asclepias tuberosa

Bring bright orange summer color to your garden with butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). This U.S.-native perennial develops a neat, bushy habit with dark green foliage and flat-topped flower clusters that attract bees and butterflies. Its tolerance of dry, well-drained conditions makes it a useful addition to sunny, naturalistic plantings.

Choose Your Seed Pack

Select 10, 25, or 100 seeds, or a ¼-ounce or 1-ounce pack. Count-based packs are sold by seed quantity; bulk packs are sold by weight. The existing listing estimates approximately 4,300 seeds per ounce, but actual counts vary. This listing is for planting seeds, not live plants.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical name: Asclepias tuberosa.
• Common names: Butterfly weed, orange milkweed, and butterfly milkweed.
• Life cycle: Perennial.
• Height: Approximately 24–36 inches.
• Flowers: Bright orange clusters in summer.
• Light: Full sun preferred; partial shade tolerated.
• Soil: Well-drained, including sandy or rocky soils.
• Moisture: Medium to dry once established.
• Spacing: Approximately 15–18 inches.

Autumn Sowing

Direct sow in late fall in a prepared, well-drained seedbed. Plant just below the soil surface, sowing three seeds together every 15–18 inches. Natural winter conditions can provide the cold, moist period needed before spring germination. Thin to the strongest seedling as plants develop.

Spring Sowing

The existing seed instructions recommend mixing seeds with moist sand and refrigerating for approximately 30 days before spring direct sowing. Keep the mixture moist rather than saturated, check periodically, and do not freeze. Follow any lot-specific instructions supplied with your seed.

Choose the final planting position carefully. Butterfly weed develops roots that resent disturbance, so direct sowing helps avoid transplant damage. If starting in pots, transplant young plants gently without breaking up the root system.

Establishment and Garden Care

Water seedlings while they establish, then adjust watering to rainfall and soil conditions. Mature plants tolerate drought, but persistently wet soil can damage the roots. Keep weeds from competing with young plants.

Be patient: plants can establish slowly and may take 2–3 years to flower. Flowering time varies, and a first-season display is not guaranteed. Plants can self-sow if mature pods release their seed; remove pods before dispersal if you want to limit seedlings.

If aphids appear, inspect carefully for caterpillars and other beneficial insects before using a directed stream of water to dislodge them.

Growing in Containers

Choose a deep container with drainage holes to accommodate the developing roots. Use a well-draining potting mix and place in full sun. Sow directly into the final container where practical and avoid crowding.

Check moisture regularly, watering thoroughly when needed and allowing excess water to drain. Avoid leaving pots standing in water. Container roots may need additional protection during severe winter weather; local conditions determine suitable overwintering care.

Cut Flowers and Seed Saving

For arrangements, cut long stems with newly opened flowers using clean tools and place promptly in water.

After flowering, narrow pods approximately 3–4 inches long may form. Collect mature pods when seeds inside have turned brown, before the pods split and release their silky seed. Dry in an airy, sheltered place, separate the seed from the fluff, and store fully dried seed in a labeled container in a cool, dry location.

Handling and Safety

Not for consumption. Keep seeds and plants away from children, pets, and livestock that may eat them. Wear gloves when handling or cutting plants and wash hands afterward. This listing makes no medicinal-use claims.