How to Plant Butterfly Weed Seeds

Overview

Gardeners who would like to attract butterflies to their yards should include butterfly weeds among their flower beds. These tall plants produce orange blossoms in the middle of the summer that attract a variety of butterflies. Find a prominent place in a sunny garden to plant the seeds.

Step 1

Prepare the growing area. Work the soil to a depth of at least 5 inches and add 1 to 2 inches of compost. Work the compost completely into the soil. Rake the soil smooth.

Step 2

Plant the seeds 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch deep and water lightly. If you are planting the butterfly seeds in a bed with other flowers, place the seeds toward the back of the bed because the plants can grow as tall as 3 feet.

Step 3

Fertilize the plants once or twice during the growing season to enhance blooms. Follow the fertilizer package recommendations for the size of your growing area. In successive growing seasons, fertilize the butterfly weeds several weeks before the expected blossoming.

Step 4

Water butterfly weeds sparingly. These plants only need additional moisture during drought conditions.