Butterfly Weed vs Snapdragon

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

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Apocynaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

Plantaginaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)

Snapdragon (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Weed	Snapdragon
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Antirrhinum majus
Family	Apocynaceae	Plantaginaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	3'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Weed

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Snapdragon

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.

Snapdragon

✓Pinch growing tips for bushier plants.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Cool-season annual — plant in fall in warm climates.
✓Excellent cut flower.

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 Snapdragon if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium 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 SnapdragonProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Snapdragon?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Snapdragon deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Snapdragon?

Both Butterfly Weed and Snapdragon 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	Snapdragon
Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa	Antirrhinum majus
Family	Apocynaceae	Plantaginaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Sandy	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2' 6"	3'
Spread	1' 6"	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
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.

Snapdragon

✓Pinch growing tips for bushier plants.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Cool-season annual — plant in fall in warm climates.
✓Excellent cut flower.

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 Snapdragon if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium 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 Snapdragon grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Weed or Snapdragon?

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

Are Butterfly Weed and Snapdragon deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Weed or Snapdragon?

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