Butterfly Weed vs Foxglove

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Plantaginaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Foxglove (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Foxglove
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Digitalis purpurea
Family	Apocynaceae	Plantaginaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Moist
Height	2' 6"	5'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Foxglove

No — 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.

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

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 Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View FoxgloveProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Foxglove grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Foxglove?

Foxglove grows taller at 5' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Foxglove spreads 1' 6" while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Foxglove deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Foxglove?

Both Butterfly Weed and Foxglove 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	Foxglove
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Digitalis purpurea
Family	Apocynaceae	Plantaginaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Moist
Height	2' 6"	5'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe
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.

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

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 Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Foxglove grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Foxglove?

Foxglove grows taller at 5' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Foxglove spreads 1' 6" while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Foxglove deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Foxglove?

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