What are some good companion plants for butterfly weed?

Perennial such as gayfeather, monarda, lavender, catmint and rudbeckia all work very well with butterfly weed.

Can I encourage more blooms on my butterfly weed plants?

Butterfly weed should bloom freely once mature (typically 3 years). If your plants are mature and you are still not blooming well, there could be a couple of factors at play. Make sure to water regularly until new growth starts (leaves and stems not just blooms) then you can decrease your watering frequency. Also, butterfly weed should NOT be fertilized, this can actually discourage blooming. If your plant is not receiving enough sunlight this can also hinder blooming, consider moving to a new location.

Do I need to prune my butterfly weed plants?

Butterfly weed does not need much pruning throughout the growing season, it can be cut back to the ground in late fall when leaves begin to yellow and stems turn brown. Do not mulch that can cause rot.

Will butterfly weed attract other pollinators besides butterflies?

Yes, bees and hummingbirds also enjoy the butterfly weed plant.

Can I use them as cut flowers?

Yes, these make an excellent quality cut flower for both floral arrangements and dried arrangements.

Why not plant milkweed on the coast?

If you live in a coastal region or near a place where monarch butterflies overwinter, it is recommended to cultivate nectar plants like blazing star and bidens to aid the monarchs during their migration to and from the overwintering spot. Adult monarch butterflies rely on milkweed for reproduction, and the presence of milkweed misleads them into thinking it is a suitable location for breeding, thus disturbing their natural migration pattern.