Butterfly Bush Care Basics—and How to Choose This Perennial

See why the butterfly bush is a controversial garden choice.

Butterfly bushes have become one of the most popular picks for a garden, thanks to their big, bold blooms and their knack for attracting butterflies and pollinators. (Hence the name that stuck—butterfly bush—rather than its Latin name, Buddleja davidii.)

Given the right amount of sunlight, this perennial grows relatively easily and offers gorgeous blooms in a rainbow of colors (red, pink, white, yellow, blue, or purple). But butterfly bushes are a bit of a controversial pick for planting, especially in certain regions of the country. Learn a bit about why you might want to think twice about this bush, and how to choose and care for a butterfly bush if you include it in your garden.

Meet the Expert

Tamara Hogan is a plant expert at Fast Growing Trees, an online nursery.

Should I Plant a Butterfly Bush?

Who wouldn't want to plant a bush that brings all the butterflies to the yard? It's a great way to encourage pollination and add beauty to your garden. However, in some parts of the country, you may want to do some research before planting the butterfly bush.

Butterfly Bush May Be Invasive or Banned

Depending on where you live, you'll need to be careful with a butterfly bush as it may be prohibited or invasive. "There are regions where butterfly bushes are considered more of an invasive species, such as the Eastern US (North and South) and Pacific Northwest," says plant expert Tamara Hogan. "It also could be considered semi-invasive in states around the Great Lakes."

Hogan explains that the butterfly bush is better suited for the Intermountain West, Central US, and Southwest regions, where the weather conditions won't encourage the plant to propagate. Both Washington and Oregon ban planting butterfly bushes, except for a few particular seedless varieties, sometimes known as "summer lilacs."

Check the Status of Butterfly Bush

Always consult your local agricultural office to check if the butterfly bush is recommended for planting or possibly banned in your area.

Butterfly Bush Has Low-Quality Nectar

Another issue with the butterfly bush: It's kind of like the junk food of the plant realm—all flash, and nothing filling. "They attract butterflies and other pollinators due to their flower shape and color, but as a whole, they have rather poor quality of pollen and nectar," Hogan notes.

"So if you do plant them in your landscape, pair them with other plants to provide a better environment overall for those pollinators, such as coneflower, liatris, salvias, and asters. This way you not only attract those bugs, but you are able to feed them and keep them around," Hogan adds.

Choosing a Butterfly Bush

Even if you live in an area where the butterfly bush is considered invasive, some options are safer to include in your landscape. Look for dwarf varieties of the butterfly bush, which are less likely to be invasive, or especially created versions that are more sterile, and less likely to spread. Hogan suggests choosing varietals like Lo and Behold "Blue Chip" and Pugster Pink for planting a butterfly bush.

Also, be sure to research the full mature size of the butterfly bush you select to make sure you have enough room to accommodate it. "If you are putting in a plant that can get [six] feet tall and wide, it’s best to make sure you plan for that space upon planting," Hogan suggests.

"Seedless" Butterfly Bush

The seedless butterfly bush variety will be your best bet to prevent the plant from becoming invasive in your garden (and neighborhood).

How to Care For a Butterfly Bush

If you plant this popular perennial, you'll need to find a spot with the right conditions for it to thrive—and care for it properly. Here's the scoop on caring for and helping your butterfly bush thrive.

Provide Ample Light

The butterfly bush is a major sun lover, so plant it in a sunny spot that gets six to eight hours of sunlight daily. "Less than that and the plants can get 'leggy' as a means to reach for the desired light," Hogan says. "This can include stretching leaves and plants growing at an angle toward the sunlight."

Avoid Soggy Areas

Butterfly bushes like well-draining soil, so avoid areas that tend to stay soggy after rain. (It's definitely not a great choice for a rain garden.) Too much moisture can lead to root rot in your butterfly bush.

Water Accordingly

Consider the butterfly bush the "Goldilocks" of your garden. It prefers a not-too-dry, not-too-wet level of water. So, check the soil before watering and only water when necessary.

Prune Periodically

Pruning back plants in spring after new buds bloom can help you avoid winter damage in your butterfly bush. Remove spent blooms promptly, before they can go to seed, to help keep your butterfly bush from propagating. (Removing spent blooms will also help encourage new flowers on your butterfly bush.)

Mind Pests and Disease

A good thing about the butterfly bush is that it rarely contracts disease or is infected by pests. If you see any pests, simply remove them with a splash of water. Avoid pesticides since they'll harm those beautiful pollinators that visit the butterfly bush. To prevent fungal infections, try watering the butterfly bush in the morning or earlier part of the day, to minimize sitting moisture on the leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do butterfly bushes come back every year?

Since the butterfly bush is a perennial plant, it will regrow after "dying" every winter. In reality, the plant doesn't die but instead enters a dormant period for the winter months. Once spring begins, you should see new growth sprouting.

How big does a butterfly bush get?

Standard butterfly bush varieties grow to about five to 10 feet tall. Dwarf varieties grow between two to four feet tall. Because of this, make sure to plant in a spacious area.

What is the lifespan of a butterfly bush?

Typically, a butterfly bush will live about 10 years. You may find some plants that live longer than that, but it's a rare case. Proper care of a butterfly bush will help it live longer and thrive in your garden.

Related: 15 Popular Plants You Should Never Grow in Your Yard

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