Foxglove (Digitalis) produces tall spires of bell-shaped flowers that bees love. The common foxglove is a biennial: it grows leaves the first year, blooms the second, then sets seed and usually dies, though it often self-seeds so new plants replace it. It is a classic cottage garden flower for part shade, but every part of the plant is poisonous, so plan where you put it.
Foxglove at a glance
| Type | Flower |
|---|---|
| Season | Cool-season |
| Sun | Part shade |
| Plant spacing | 18 in |
| Row spacing | 18 in |
| Per square foot | 1 |
| Seed depth | At surface |
| Days to maturity | Biennial: flowers about 12 months after sowing |
| How to start | Sow seed outdoors in early summer, or in late spring to early summer indoors, so plants form a leafy rosette by fall and bloom the following year. |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant foxglove
Sow seed outdoors in early summer, or in late spring to early summer indoors, so plants form a leafy rosette by fall and bloom the following year. Nursery plants can go in during spring or in early fall. Foxglove is hardy in about zones 4 to 9; check your growing zone and use the frost dates by ZIP code tool to plan sowing.
The tiny seeds need light to germinate, so press them onto the surface and do not cover them.
How to plant foxglove
- Pick part shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, though plants tolerate full sun in cool climates if kept moist.
- Prepare rich, moist, well-drained soil. Mix in compost and keep the soil evenly damp.
- Sow on the surface. Press seed onto the soil without covering it and keep moist until it sprouts in 2 to 3 weeks.
- Thin or transplant. Space plants as in the table above so air can move between them.
- Mulch. A thin layer of mulch keeps roots cool and moist.
Caring for foxglove
Water weekly in dry weather; foxgloves dislike drying out or standing in wet soil. Use the garden watering calculator for new plantings. Tall flower spikes may need staking in windy spots.
After the main spike finishes, cut it back to encourage side shoots. To get plants for next year, leave some spikes to ripen and drop seed; seedlings will appear around the parent. Pull up the dead parent plants after they have dropped seed. Feed lightly with compost in spring.
Safety: all parts of foxglove, including leaves, flowers and seeds, contain cardiac glycosides and are poisonous to people, pets and livestock. Wear gloves when handling it, wash your hands afterward, and do not plant it where children or animals can chew it. Never use it as a herbal remedy.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Roses, hostas, ferns, astilbe, columbine |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Edible crops, since foxglove leaves can be mistaken for comfrey or borage |
Foxglove looks beautiful at the back of a shady border with other cottage garden plants. Keep it away from vegetable beds and herb gardens. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves in humid, crowded plantings | Space plants, water at the base and remove badly affected leaves. |
| Leaf spot | Brown or black spots on leaves in wet weather | Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering. |
| Aphids | Small insects clustered on new growth | Rinse off with water. See the pest identifier. |
| Slugs and snails | Ragged holes in young leaves | Hand-pick at night or use barriers. |
| No flowers in year one | Leaf rosette only | This is normal for a biennial; flowers arrive in the second year. |
| Crown rot | Wilting and rotting at the base in wet soil | Improve drainage and avoid planting too deep. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Foxglove is grown for its flowers. Cut spikes can last a week in a vase, but handle with gloves and keep them away from children and pets, and wash the vase afterward. Seed capsules ripen in late summer; collect them when they turn brown and sow the seed in early summer of the next year.
Common foxglove typically reaches 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) tall. Perennial species and hybrids such as Digitalis grandiflora and ‘Camelot’ may bloom in the first year and live longer.
Plan your foxglove
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant foxgloves?
Space foxgloves 18 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 1 per square foot.
How deep do I plant seeds?
Press foxglove seed onto the soil surface without covering it, because it needs light to germinate; plant nursery plants at the same depth as in the pot.
How long do foxgloves take to grow?
Common foxglove is a biennial: it forms leaves the first year and flowers the second, about 12 months after sowing.
How much water do foxgloves need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Water weekly in dry weather and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Is foxglove poisonous?
Yes. All parts contain cardiac glycosides and are poisonous to people, pets and livestock. Wear gloves, keep it away from children and animals, and never use it as a herbal remedy.
Why didn’t my foxglove bloom this year?
Common foxglove is a biennial, so it makes only leaves in its first year and blooms in the second. Leave some spikes to set seed so new plants keep coming.