0How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humiditylow
Min. temperature-20 °CJanuary
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
It can stay outside. Wrap the pot (hessian, polystyrene) and keep it against the house wall, out of the rain.
February
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
It can stay outside. Wrap the pot (hessian, polystyrene) and keep it against the house wall, out of the rain.
March
Gentle start: the first small drink once you see buds or new growth and it warms up.
First weak dose at the end of the month if it is actively growing.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it somewhere brighter and warmer and end wintering. Get it used to strong sun gradually.
April
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
The sunniest window (south or west).
May
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
June
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It flowers next month – once you see buds, don’t move it any more.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
July
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
August
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
September
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
No feeding now.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
October
Taper off gradually: very little by the end of the month.
No feeding now.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it to its cool, bright winter spot and taper off watering. Log it with one click in the Care hub.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
November · now
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
It can stay outside. Wrap the pot (hessian, polystyrene) and keep it against the house wall, out of the rain.
December
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
It can stay outside. Wrap the pot (hessian, polystyrene) and keep it against the house wall, out of the rain.
Cut it back to 30–40 cm in early spring – it flowers on new wood.
Butterfly bush – what to know
Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family (genus Buddleja) and is listed in our catalog under “Tree / bonsai”. Its needs – light: full sun; water: low; humidity: low. Frost-hardy to about -20 °C – it can overwinter outdoors in many climates. Rest period: cold winter dormancy. Typical flowering time: July, August, September, October. Easy enough for beginners. There is no reliable data on its effect on cats and dogs. Nobody on Perfect Plants Club has added it to their collection yet – be the first!
All Buddleja species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Butterfly bush?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Butterfly bush need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Butterfly bush get?
Frost-hardy to about -20 °C – it can overwinter outdoors in many climates.
Is Butterfly bush toxic to cats and dogs?
There is no reliable data on its effect on cats and dogs.
When does Butterfly bush flower?
Typical flowering time: July, August, September, October.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Tips and questions about this species
Buddleja
Care data is for guidance only.
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