Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed is an easy-to-grow plant that is essential for many butterfly gardens. Several characteristics that will appeal to gardeners and butterfly watchers include its size, flowering time, sturdiness, and natural attraction for butterflies. 

Butterfly weed plant is typically found in Zones 3 to 9

It enjoys full sun but can deal with a bit of shade here and there. Butterfly weed usually appear in bunches of strong green stems that can grow up to 5 feet tall but typically 2 to 4 feet. Thanks to the sturdy nature of these stems, there is no need to prop them up; they will stand on their own. The leaves are various shades of green, thick and robust. They grow to about 6 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. It is ideal for planting to place these about 18 inches apart. Additionally, this plant requires no fertilizers and does well in less-than-perfect soil.

 Flower pods from this plant grows from the top of the plant and usually are found in small groups producing many flowers at once. The flowers grow to about .75 inches and .4 inches wide. They are generally light to dark pink and let off a lovely sweet scent. 

 Butterfly Weed Fruit pods also grows on the weed

They are about 4 inches long and shaped like a sphere, with little nubs growing. The pods start green and, as they mature, will turn brown. At this stage, they can be used for flower arrangements. Once they dry completely, they will split open. Many seeds can be taken from 1 pod. 

 Butterfly weed is an ideal and vital plant for Monarch Butterflies

Not only do they eat the leaves, but they also form their chrysalis and mature and hatch on the very same plant.