Butterfly Weed vs Rosemary

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Lamiaceae · herbs

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Rosemary (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Rosemary
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Salvia rosmarinus
Family	Apocynaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	2' 6"	4'
Spread	1' 6"	3'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Orange	Blue, Purple
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Rosemary

Yes — 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.

Rosemary

✓Requires excellent drainage — root rot is the main killer.
✓Don't overwater.
✓Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
✓Can be trained as topiary or hedge.

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 Rosemary if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Butterfly WeedProfile →View RosemaryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Rosemary grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water, while Rosemary 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 Rosemary?

Rosemary grows taller at 4' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Rosemary spreads 3' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Rosemary deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Rosemary?

Both Butterfly Weed and Rosemary 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	Rosemary
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Salvia rosmarinus
Family	Apocynaceae	Lamiaceae
Category	flowers	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	2' 6"	4'
Spread	1' 6"	3'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Orange	Blue, Purple
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.

Rosemary

✓Requires excellent drainage — root rot is the main killer.
✓Don't overwater.
✓Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
✓Can be trained as topiary or hedge.

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 Rosemary if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Weed grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Rosemary grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

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

Butterfly Weed needs full sun and low water, while Rosemary 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 Rosemary?

Rosemary grows taller at 4' compared to Butterfly Weed at 2' 6". Rosemary spreads 3' while Butterfly Weed spreads 1' 6".

Are Butterfly Weed and Rosemary deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Rosemary?

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