Also known as Butterfly Bush · 7.2k saves
Buddleja
Buddleja, the genus most gardeners know as butterfly bush. We track 80 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 24 most-saved Buddleja varieties
See all 80 Buddleja varieties →Search this genus →
3 species of Buddleja
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Buddleja in Sow
Save the Buddleja you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Buddleja
Whats common across all Buddleja varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them.
The Buddleja year
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Cut back to a low framework before growth begins; it flowers on new wood.
- DeadheadJune–September95% of varieties
Remove spent panicles as they fade to limit seeding and extend flowering.
- FertilizeMarch43% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer as new growth emerges.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the shrub
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering 🌞
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late summer or fall
What goes wrong with Buddleja
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Maintain humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine stippling and dusty webbing on leaves in hot, dry spells | Hose the foliage down and keep plants watered through drought |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems or leaves | Apply horticultural oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Buddleja
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 6-inch sections just below a node.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep soil moist and place in bright, indirect light.
- Roots develop in approximately 6 weeks.
Layering
- Choose a low branch and bend it to touch the soil.
- Make a shallow cut on the underside where it contacts soil.
- Secure with a wire or stone and cover with soil.
- Water regularly to promote root development.
- Separate and transplant once roots are established after 3-4 months.
Buddleja questions
How many types of Buddleja are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 80 distinct Buddleja varieties. The most popular — ranked by 7.2k real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Buddleja grow in?
Across its varieties, Buddleja covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Buddleja bloom?
Most Buddleja varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer, early summer to early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Buddleja should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.