Bleeding Heart vs Butterfly Weed

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

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Bleeding Heart (Zones 3-9)

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Butterfly Weed
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Asclepias tuberosa
Family	Papaveraceae	Apocynaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	3'	2' 6"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, White	Orange
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Bleeding Heart

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 Bleeding HeartProfile →View Butterfly WeedProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Butterfly Weed grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart 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, Bleeding Heart or Butterfly Weed?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Butterfly Weed?

Both Bleeding Heart 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	Bleeding Heart	Butterfly Weed
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Asclepias tuberosa
Family	Papaveraceae	Apocynaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	3'	2' 6"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, White	Orange
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Butterfly Weed grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart 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, Bleeding Heart or Butterfly Weed?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Bleeding Heart and Butterfly Weed deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Butterfly Weed?

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