The leaves are spear-like. The flowers are grouped together in many-flowered clusters at the top of the plant. Flowering occurs in late spring to mid-summer. A milkweed-like follicle or pod develops after flowering. Inside the pod are hundreds of seeds with fluffy, wing-like appendages.
Butterfly weed does best in full sun in dry, infertile soils.
It does not tolerate wet soils. The plants are slow to emerge so use caution when cultivating the soil around them in the spring. Butterfly weed is very useful in the perennial bed and in meadow areas where it attractsmany types of butterflies. The flowers can be used as cut flowers. Both the flowers and the fruit may be dried for use in arrangements.