Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa) is a species of the familiar milkweed. It is native to eastern and southwestern North America. Pleurisy root is also known as butterfly weed because it attracts butterflies. It is the host plant for the larvae of butterflies and moths such as the queen butterfly, the monarch butterfly, the grey hairstreak butterfly, the dogbane tiger moth, the milkweed tussock moth, and the unexpected cycnia. In addition to moths and butterflies, its flower nectar attracts bees and hummingbirds.

Other names for pleurisy root include Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Chigger Flower, Chiggerweed, and Indian Paintbrush.

Native Americans chewed the fresh root to treat pleurisy, bronchitis, and other respiratory complaints. They made a tea out of the root to treat diarrhea.

You should be very careful when using this plant medicinally. It contains glycosides, alkaloids and resinoids which can cause vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms when consumed in large quantities. It should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, or their infants.

The seed pods open when they are mature and release their seeds.

Pleurisy root is a hardy perennial in zones 3 – 9. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they are drought tolerant. The plants grow in clumps, each plant reaching 1 to 3 feet tall. The leaves are alternate and pointed, 1 ½ to 2 ¼ inches long. The flowers are quite striking, bright orange or yellow, growing in clusters, 2 to 5 inches across. Bloom time is May through September. The distinctive seedpods, 3 – 6 inches long, develop in late summer/early fall. When mature, they open releasing hundreds of seeds to the wind. Be sure to remove the pods before they mature to prevent the plants from reseeding freely throughout your landscape.

Pleurisy root is often infested by aphids, usually around the tops of the plants. The aphids are easy to get rid of. Just use a strong stream of water from your hose to knock them off. Be sure to get the undersides of the leaves where the insects frequently hide.

Pleurisy root can be propagated through root cuttings. It has a long taproot that can be dug up in the fall, then cut into 2-inch pieces. Plant your root cuttings vertically 2 – 3 inches deep.

Pleurisy root is easily grown from seed. Harvest the seed when the pods mature and open. You can plant them immediately in your garden or start them indoors during the winter to plant in the spring. If growing indoors, the seeds do not need cold stratification, but commercial growers have found that cold stratifying them for 30 to 60 days increases the germination rate.

Sow your seeds, indoors or outdoors, ¼ inch deep. If you are sowing your seeds outdoors, sow them where you want them to grow. Pleurisy root does not transplant well because of its long taproot. It does not like its roots to be disturbed. If you are starting your seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots such as peat pots which can be planted into your garden without disturbing the taproot

You can plant your seedlings outdoors in your garden after your last frost. Space them 1 – 2 feet apart. Your plants will take 2 – 3 years to reach flowering size, so be patient.