Can the butterfly weed be divided?

Question: 

Can the butterfly weed be divided?

Answer: 

The butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a member of the milkweed family.  Plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall and produce flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers from July through September.  Their flowers attract several butterfly species, hence the common name. 

Butterfly weed is easy to grow.  It performs best in full sun and tolerates heat, drought, and infertile soils.  The butterfly weed possesses a long taproot.  Because of its long taproot, division is difficult and not recommended.  The butterfly weed is typically propagated by seeds
 

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