Ruta graveolens is a host plant for the following butterflies : Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Broad-banded Swallowtail and King Swallowtail. It also attracts beneficial insects and repels Japanese beetles and cucumber beetles.
Wear gloves when handling rue. It can cause rashes on sensitive skin. Deer resistant . Drought tolerant . Hardy perennial in zones 5-10.
Start rue seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Or sow outdoors in late spring. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Full sun to part shade.