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Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii
Updated Feb 09, 2023
 
1

Make a Positive Identification

  • Escaped butterfly bush grows in disturbed areas along roads and riverbanks.
  • It grows as an arching, deciduous shrub up to 15 feet tall.
  • Butterfly bush forms dense thickets. It displaces native plants and alters habitat for wildlife.

Planting New Butterfly Bush Plants?

If you want to plant new butterfly bush plants, choose sterile cultivars (varieties). See Butterfly Bush Approved Cultivars  (Oregon Department of Agriculture).

Species: Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush infestation in a neglected urban area

Butterfly bush establishes in areas with disturbed soil. It grows along roads and riverbanks and in pastures and recently burned areas.

Species: Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush growing out of a chimney

It grows in harsh conditions such as cracks in pavement and gravel roads. The photo shows a butterfly bush growing out of a chimney.

Species: Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush leaves and flower spike

Butterfly bush’s leaves grow alternately along the stems. Leaves are 4–10 inches long and 1–3 inches wide. They are dark green on top and white-to-pale-green underneath. Flower spikes form at the tip of the branches. Flowers vary in color from white to purple and and blue. The flowers attract butterflies.

Species: Butterfly Bush
Mature butterfly bush flower heads

Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org

Butterfly bush spreads via seeds. Seeds can form during its first year. They are viable for 3–5 years.

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2

Butterfly Bush Benefits

Butterfly bush provides nectar for pollinators, but many other plants do that without being invasive.

 

Butterfly Bush Risks

  • Butterfly bush aggressively spreads to new areas by seeds.
  • Butterfly bush forms dense thickets. It displaces native plants and alters habitat for wildlife.

 

Risk Card
Does it cause harm?
Adults & Children
None
Property
Some
Pets
None
Annoyance
High
Environment
High
Action Recommended
 
3

TAKE ACTION

If you have unwanted butterfly bush plants on your property, take action to control its spread. Don’t allow unwanted small butterfly bush plants to establish a stand.

Do I need to take action?

  • If you have butterfly bush growing in your landscape, look for seedlings nearby.
  • If you see unwanted butterfly bush seedlings or shrubs near your landscape plant, then your plant is probably contributing to a local weed infestation. Take action to control them and remove the mother plant.
  • For landscape areas with desired butterfly bush plants, prevent them from forming mature seeds.
  • Remove unwanted butterfly bush plants before they become a bigger problem.

What if I do nothing?

  • Butterfly bush forms dense thickets. It displaces native plants and alters habitat for wildlife.
  • Butterfly bush will spread by seeds to new areas. The longer you wait to act, the more time and effort will be required to control it.
 
4

Prevent Butterfly Bush

Sealable plastic bag next to trash can with note “invasive plant, do not compost”

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Prevent the plants from forming mature seeds
  • Remove spent flower heads in the fall before they disperse seeds.
  • Put them in a plastic bag. Dispose of the bag in the trash.
  • Don’t compost butterfly bush flower heads.
Butterfly bush growing in sidewalk crack
Monitor for Regrowth and Seedlings
  • Look for unwanted butterfly bush plants such as the one growing in the sidewalk crack in the photo.
  • After you remove a stand of butterfly bush, new seeds will germinate. Look for young butterfly bush plants and remove them as soon as possible.
Landscape area with native plants growing densely together

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Replant the Affected Area
  • After controlling butterfly bush, consider replanting the area. Replanting is needed when butterfly bush growth or removal significantly damages a site and few or no desirable plants remain.
  • Create a multi-year revegetation plan. Plans include site preparation and planting details, plant care, and follow-up control for butterfly bush and other weeds.
  • Plan for at least 2–3 years of monitoring and maintenance.
  • Your local extension specialist, soil and water conservation district, or a professional revegetation specialist can suggest strategies for your area.
 
5
Solutions for Butterfly Bush

Early Detection and Rapid Response

Watch for common butterfly bush on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Physical Removal of Plants and Non-Chemical Options

  • Pull or dig out seedlings and small plants with hand tools. Remove as much of the root as possible.
  • Dispose of mature seed heads in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the trash. Other plant parts can be composted.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control butterfly bush when used according to label directions.

Monitoring and Follow-up

Monitor your property each year. Control or remove unwanted butterfly bush plants as needed.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon  and other states  can suggest other methods.

Jump to

Method Does it work? Is it safe? Recommendation
A
Physically Remove Plants
Effective
Low risk
Recommended
B
Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate
Effective
Moderate risk
Use if Necessary
C
If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
 
A

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Dig out individual plants and small patches. Remove the roots. Remaining roots may regrow stems.

Does it work?
Effective
  • Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of butterfly bush.
  • Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?
High effort
  • Cut and remove stems to get access to roots. Dig the roots out with tools.
  • Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?
Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE

Dig out seedlings and small plants in the winter or spring when the soil is moist. Remove as much root as possible from the soil. Use shovels, picks, and similar tools.

Worker using weed wrench tool to remove a shrub

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Manual removal of butterfly bush is effective but labor-intensive. Using a Weed Wrench™ or similar tool makes it easier to remove smaller butterfly bush shrubs.

Green waste disposal bin

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Roots and stems can be composted onsite. Or dispose of them in your green bin or local green waste composting facility.

BUTTERFLY BUSH Removal Tips

  • The best time to pull plants out of the ground is following rain and before warm, dry weather. Pulling butterfly bush plants out of moist soil is recommended.
  • Soil disturbance encourages seed to germinate. Return to the site and kill seedlings.
  • For larger shrubs, cut the plant below the soil line or dig out the roots. Expect regrowth.
  • Dispose of mature seed heads in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the trash.
  • Roots and stems can be composted onsite. Or dispose of them in your green bin or local green waste composting facility.

Soil Disturbance and Erosion

  • Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing butterfly bush.
  • Regrade the soil after digging butterfly bush roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
  • Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
  • Replant the area to shade butterfly bush seedlings.
 
B

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

Chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicide products that contain the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively kill butterfly bush when used according to label directions.

Does it work?
Effective
  • It requires several years of monitoring and effort to get rid of butterfly bush.
  • Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?
Moderate effort
  • Treat individual butterfly bush plants and patches.
  • Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?
Moderate risk
  • Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know.
  • Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
El uso de herbicidas conlleva cierto grado de riesgo. El riesgo más bajo se presenta con el uso de métodos alternativos.

You may be exposed to an herbicide if you:

  • Get it on your skin
  • Breathe it in
  • Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands
  • Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children)
  • Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes

Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate, used individually or in a mixture, are effective chemical treatments for butterfly bush. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

  • The white box on the example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely — stumps and roots won’t grow.”
  • Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating butterfly bush that is growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas.
  • Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray in the same time period.
Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

  • The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. Text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds, trees, shrubs....”
  • A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray January through March.
  • Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

  • Premixed products are available in hardware stores and garden centers.
  • Apply herbicide to butterfly bush when it is actively growing. Treat it before seeds develop to minimize seed production.
  • Common herbicide application techniques include foliar, cut-stump, and basal bark application. See examples below.
  • Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray in the same time period.
  • Look for butterfly bush regrowth and new seedlings. Control it as needed.
Minimize the potential impact of herbicides to bees and other pollinators. Treat butterfly bush plants before they flower. If plants are blooming when you need to treat them, use the cut-stump or basal-bark herbicide application technique. Avoid spraying pollinators directly. For more information, see OSU’s How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides.

 

Herbicide Application Methods

Foliar (leaves), basal-bark, and cut-stump application methods all effectively kill butterfly bush. Choose the right method for your situation.

Worker spraying herbicide tall foliage

Max Williamson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Foliar (Leaves) Application

  • Spraying herbicide on the foliage of butterfly bush is only practical when it can be done without damaging nearby plants you want to keep.
  • A backpack sprayer is effective for treating small areas.
  • For extensive infestations, treat initially with a foliar application to kill the seedlings, saplings, and shoots. Then follow up with basal-bark or cut-stump applications on the remaining stems.
Diagram of basal-bark herbicide application technique

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Basal-Bark Application

  • This works best for stems that are less than 6 inches in diameter.
  • Concentrated herbicide (oil soluble) is mixed with another ingredient (adjuvant), typically a seed oil.
  • The mixture is sprayed on stems from the ground to a height of 12–18 inches.
  • The plant absorbs the herbicide sprayed in the trunk. The herbicide moves to the roots.
Gloved hand spraying herbicide with dye on cut stump

Lyon Duong, UF/IFAS

Cut-Stump Application

  • Cut stems as close to the ground level as possible.
  • Remove sawdust and debris from the cut.
  • Apply concentrated herbicide to the area just inside the bark. This area has living tissue (cambium) that will transport the herbicide to the roots.
  • Apply herbicide as soon as possible after cutting the stem.
  • For cut-stump applications, triclopyr is more effective during the early summer. Glyphosate is more effective when applied from mid-summer to leaf fall.
 

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution
Blue heron in marsh

BrianLasenby, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

  • They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
  • They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
  • They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
  • Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

  • Read the entire label front to back.
  • Follow the instructions.
  • Review the instructions even for brands you know.
  • Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
  • Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

  • Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
  • Use a magnifying glass for small print.
  • Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
  • Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
  • The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

  • Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
  • Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
  • Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
  • Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

  • Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
  • Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
  • Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Pollinators

  • Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
  • Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
  • Do not spray on bees or insects.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

  • Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
  • Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
  • Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

  • Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
  • Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
  • Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
  • Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Don’t Spray into Water

  • It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
  • You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.

Storage & Disposal

  • Store in a secure area away from children.
  • Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
  • Never pour down any drain or waterway.
  • Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call  1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call  503-234-3000, email   or visit Metro’s website  

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management  (Oregon Department of Agriculture).

NEED HELP?

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)  can answer questions about pest control chemicals.
 1-800-858-7378 or npic@ace.orst.edu  

Consider using a licensed pest or weed control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.

Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon  and other states  can suggest other methods.

Invasive Species Alert

  • Invasives are non-native species that spread aggressively and alter the environment.
  • Controlling butterfly bush is costly.
  • Please do your part to control it on property you manage. It can spread beyond your property and have an adverse impact on your neighbors.

If you think you’ve found butterfly bush in the grey areas of this map, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at:  1-866-INVADER (1-888-468-2337) or use their online reporting form.

open Map static invasive map
Invasive species data @ 2022, iMapInvasives (NatureServe)

The map shows the distribution of butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) in Oregon. If you find butterfly bush in a new area (orange shows already reported cases), please report it.

View Larger Map >
SEE OTHER COMMON PACIFIC NORTHWEST WEEDS

Content provided by editor Weston Miller and writers Signe Danler and J. Jeremiah Mann. Pesticide safety information edited by Kaci Buhl.

 Peer reviewed by OSU Department of Horticulture.

Photo of Weston Miller

Weston Miller

Project Founder and Content Writer

Weston Miller served as Community and Urban Horticulture faculty for Oregon State University Extension Service for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Weston is an author for content for this website. He developed funding partnerships with Portland area agencies to initiate and build out the Solve Pest Problems website focused on this goals:

Signe Danler

Signe Danler (Editor/Writer)

Signe Danler is a veteran Master Gardener and landscape designer, with an MAg degree in Horticulture from OSU, and an emphasis on Urban Horticulture. As instructor for the OSU Extension Service online Home Horticulture and Master Gardener Program, she uses her experience and training in gardening, urban forestry and ecological landscaping to communicate about and promote sustainable gardening and landscaping practices.

J. Jeremiah Mann

J. Jeremiah Mann

J. Jeremiah Mann completed a Physical Science undergraduate degree at Humboldt State University, and M.S, Ph.D focusing on plant science topics at UC Davis. He went on to work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and in a leadership position serving a private agricultural technology company. He currently lives in Sacramento California where he consults on pest and property management topics.

Photo of Kaci Buhl

Kaci Buhl

At the state level, I lead the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). The program hosts live recertification events around the state, serving over 1,000 licensed pesticide applicators each year. We also produce web-based training modules and license-preparation study manuals. Special training for unlicensed pesticide applicators is also available through a grant from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The PSEP at OSU works closely with the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Pesticides Division.

BUTTERFLY BUSH REFERENCES

Butterfly Bush  
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board

Butterfly Bush Identification and Control  
King County Noxious Weeds Control Program