Butterfly Weed vs Dill

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Dill (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Dill
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Anethum graveolens
Family	Apocynaceae	Apiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	3'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Dill

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — 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.

Dill

✓Direct sow — dill doesn't transplant well due to taproot.
✓Succession plant every 3 weeks.
✓Let some plants go to seed for self-sowing and for harvest.
✓Attracts swallowtail butterflies.

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 Dill if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View DillProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Dill?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Dill deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Dill?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Dill
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Anethum graveolens
Family	Apocynaceae	Apiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	3'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
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.

Dill

✓Direct sow — dill doesn't transplant well due to taproot.
✓Succession plant every 3 weeks.
✓Let some plants go to seed for self-sowing and for harvest.
✓Attracts swallowtail butterflies.

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 Dill if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Dill?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Dill deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Dill?

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