Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Asclepias tuberosa
Apocynaceae · flowers
Dahlia pinnata
Asteraceae · flowers
Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)
Dahlia (Zones 8-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–9
| Feature | Butterfly Weed | Dahlia |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asclepias tuberosa | Dahlia pinnata |
| Family | Apocynaceae | Asteraceae |
| Category | flowers | flowers |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧 Low | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained, Sandy | Rich, Well-drained |
| Height | 2' 6" | 5' |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 2' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Summer-Fall |
| Bloom Color | Orange | Mixed |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Fast |
| Native Region | Eastern North America | Mexico, Central America |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Butterfly Weed
Dahlia
Butterfly Weed
Dahlia
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 Dahlia if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 8–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 8–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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