Do I need to prune it?

Yes, hard pruning in early spring encourages vigorous growth and more flowers.

It is highly invasive in many regions, so check your local regulations before planting.

Plant guide

Butterfly Bush.

Buddleja davidii Franch.

Pronounced BUD-lee-uh da-VID-ee-eye

Also known as Buddleia, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly-Bush, Chinese Sagewood, Orange Eye

The butterfly bush is a fast growing shrub that produces long, fragrant flower spikes. It is a favorite for attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees to your garden. You will love how it brings life to your outdoor space during the summer months.

Another photo of Butterfly Bush — Photo by Dave Richardson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 12 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Keep an eye out for wilting leaves which may indicate it needs more water during hot spells. Pruning back hard in late winter helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages more blooms.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support vigorous growth.
Pruning: Cut back the branches significantly in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Repotting: If kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years when roots become crowded.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered to have low toxicity but should not be consumed.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small seeds and dried flower parts could pose a choking hazard if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The abundant pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms in those with allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Long, arching panicles of tiny flowers
Lance shaped leaves with serrated edges
Grayish green foliage color
Fast growing woody stems

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, pink, white, blue, 10 to 30cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Japanese BeetlesUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back old growth in late winter or early spring before new buds emerge. In colder areas, a layer of mulch around the base helps protect the roots from deep freezes.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided they are at least 40 liters in volume and have excellent drainage.

Softwood cuttings

Take 10cm cuttings in early summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
Place in moist potting mix until rooted.

Pair with drought tolerant perennials that enjoy full sun to create a low maintenance pollinator habitat.

Grows well with

Lavender — They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
Coneflower — Both plants attract butterflies and thrive in sunny borders.

Similar species

Buddleja alternifolia — It has a similar growth habit but features weeping branches.

Science

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and western China.
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world and should be managed carefully.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open areas, often colonizing rocky slopes and riverbanks.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: butterflies, bees, moths
Uses: ornamental shrub, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Temperature: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to prune it?: Yes, hard pruning in early spring encourages vigorous growth and more flowers.
Is it invasive?: It is highly invasive in many regions, so check your local regulations before planting.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors the English botanist Adam Buddle, while the species name commemorates the French missionary and botanist Armand David.

Good to know

It produces a honey-like scent that attracts a wide variety of insects.
The plant grows very quickly and can reach its full size in just a few seasons.
It is native to central China and was introduced to Europe in the late 19th century.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.