Butterfly Weed vs Lantana

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Lantana
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Lantana camara
Family	Apocynaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	4'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

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.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

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 Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 9.

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

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Lantana spreads 4' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Lantana?

Both Butterfly Weed and Lantana 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	Lantana
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Lantana camara
Family	Apocynaceae	Verbenaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	4'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Tropical Americas
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.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

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 Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 9.

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

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Lantana?

Lantana grows taller at 4' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Lantana spreads 4' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Lantana deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Lantana?

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