Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 18 in tall and 18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. CO native perennial; supports pollinators.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water18 in tall and 18 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10Deer-resistantToxic to dogs
Photos
- Photo 1: Al, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 2: Frank Mayfield from Chicago area, USA, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Ragesoss, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 18 in tall and 18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13 to 18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer
- Bloom color
- orange, yellow
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Things to know before you plant
- Toxic to dogsConsidered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet.
Planting & establishment
Native perennial; deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Butterfly Milkweed good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Butterfly Milkweed is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Butterfly Milkweed?
- The main things to know: Considered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet.
- How big does Butterfly Milkweed get?
- It matures to about 18 in tall and 18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Butterfly Milkweed?
- Space Butterfly Milkweed about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Butterfly Milkweed hardy on the Front Range?
- Butterfly Milkweed is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Butterfly Milkweed need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Butterfly Milkweed safe for dogs?
- No. Butterfly Milkweed is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Butterfly Milkweed deer-resistant?
- Butterfly Milkweed is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Butterfly Milkweed a good firewise plant near the house?
- Butterfly Milkweed is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Butterfly Milkweed bloom?
- Butterfly Milkweed blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
Track Butterfly Milkweed prices
See also
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Pollinator perennials for the Front Range
- Colorado native perennials for the Front Range
- Low-water perennials for Colorado's Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants and shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Native plants of Colorado for Front Range yards
- Xeriscape plants for Colorado
