Butterfly Weed is most often a distinctive bright orange, but there is some variation in flower color from deep red-orange to yellow. This distinctive color and the absence of the milky white sap that other Milkweed species have make identification easy.

Butterfly Weed needs a drier, well-drained location to successfully seed into and grow well. In older plants, the long tap root can extend down many feet. Due to this deep, drought-tolerant tap root, it can be late to emerge in the spring, especially in northern climates, so be patient.