Butterfly Weed vs Parsley

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Parsley (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Parsley
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Petroselinum crispum
Family	Apocynaceae	Apiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Moist
Height	2' 6"	1'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow-green (second year)
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Parsley

Yes — EdibleNo — 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.

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

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 Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View ParsleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Parsley grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Parsley?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Parsley deer resistant?

Butterfly Weed is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Butterfly Weed is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Parsley?

Both Butterfly Weed and Parsley 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	Parsley
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Petroselinum crispum
Family	Apocynaceae	Apiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Moist
Height	2' 6"	1'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange	Yellow-green (second year)
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
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.

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

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 Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Parsley grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Parsley?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Parsley deer resistant?

Butterfly Weed is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Butterfly Weed is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Parsley?

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