Pruning guide
How to prune butterfly weed
More butterfly weed care
Pruning butterfly weed — FAQ
When should I prune butterfly weed?
Deadhead after flowering in summer; cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. Deadhead by cutting spent flower clusters back to a lateral bud or leaf. For the annual cutback, cut all stems to 3–4 inches above ground just before new growth emerges. Note: Asclepias tuberosa is slow to emerge in spring — mark the spot to avoid accidental damage.
How often does butterfly weed need pruning?
Deadhead as blooms fade; hard cutback once annually. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) benefits from deadheading to extend bloom and a hard cutback in late winter or early spring. Cut spent flower clusters to encourage reblooming. Leave seedpods if you want to propagate or support wildlife. Cut stems to a few inches above ground before new spring growth begins.
How do you prune butterfly weed?
Deadhead by cutting spent flower clusters back to a lateral bud or leaf. For the annual cutback, cut all stems to 3–4 inches above ground just before new growth emerges. Note: Asclepias tuberosa is slow to emerge in spring — mark the spot to avoid accidental damage.