Butterfly Weed vs Crepe Myrtle

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Crepe Myrtle
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Lagerstroemia indica
Family	Apocynaceae	Lythraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	25'
Spread	1' 6"	15'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Pink, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Crepe Myrtle

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Butterfly Weed

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

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View Crepe MyrtleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Crepe Myrtle grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Crepe Myrtle?

Both Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle 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	Butterfly Weed	Crepe Myrtle
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Lagerstroemia indica
Family	Apocynaceae	Lythraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	25'
Spread	1' 6"	15'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Pink, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Butterfly Weed

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

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Crepe Myrtle grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Crepe Myrtle deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Crepe Myrtle?

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