Begonia vs Butterfly Weed

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Begonia

Begonia × semperflorens

Begoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Begonia (Zones 2-11)

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Butterfly Weed
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Asclepias tuberosa
Family	Begoniaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	1'	2' 6"
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Orange
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	South America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Begonia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

Butterfly Weed

✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Direct sow or plant young.
✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location.
✓Monarch caterpillar host plant.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Butterfly Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BegoniaProfile →View Butterfly WeedProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Butterfly Weed grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Butterfly Weed grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Begonia and Butterfly Weed have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs part shade and medium water, while Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Begonia or Butterfly Weed?

Butterfly Weed grows taller at 2' 6" compared to Begonia at 1'. Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6" while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Butterfly Weed deer resistant?

Yes, both Begonia and Butterfly Weed are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Butterfly Weed?

Both Begonia and Butterfly Weed have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Butterfly Weed
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Asclepias tuberosa
Family	Begoniaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	1'	2' 6"
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Orange
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	South America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

Butterfly Weed

✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Direct sow or plant young.
✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location.
✓Monarch caterpillar host plant.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Butterfly Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Butterfly Weed grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Butterfly Weed grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Begonia and Butterfly Weed have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs part shade and medium water, while Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Begonia or Butterfly Weed?

Butterfly Weed grows taller at 2' 6" compared to Begonia at 1'. Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6" while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Butterfly Weed deer resistant?

Yes, both Begonia and Butterfly Weed are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Butterfly Weed?

Both Begonia and Butterfly Weed have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.