Butterfly Weed vs Hollyhock

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Malvaceae · flowers

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Hollyhock (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Alcea rosea
Family	Apocynaceae	Malvaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	8'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	China, Turkey
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Hollyhock

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.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

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 Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View HollyhockProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Hollyhock?

Hollyhock grows taller at 8' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Hollyhock spreads 1' 6" while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Hollyhock deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Hollyhock?

Both Butterfly Weed and Hollyhock 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	Hollyhock
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Alcea rosea
Family	Apocynaceae	Malvaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	8'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Pink, Red, Yellow, White, Black
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	China, Turkey
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.

Hollyhock

✓Plant against a wall or fence for wind protection.
✓Prone to rust — space for air circulation.
✓Self-seeds prolifically.
✓Biennial but self-sows to seem perennial.

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 Hollyhock if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Hollyhock?

Hollyhock grows taller at 8' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Hollyhock spreads 1' 6" while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Hollyhock deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Hollyhock?

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