(Digitalis purpurea)

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Foxglove is a biennial/short lived perennial flower that is native to eastern Europe but can be commonly found growing in open woods, woodland clearings, moorland and heath margins, sea-cliffs, rocky mountain slopes and hedge banks throughout the northeastern and northwestern United States. At maturity, this plant features thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, and is great as a cut flower! 

  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Companion Planting
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Family: Plantaginaceae

Genus: Digitalis

Species: Digitalis purpurea

Cultivar: Foxglove

Also Known As: Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove, Finger Flower, Fairy Glove, Lady’s Glove, and Fairy Thimbles.

Native to: Belgium, Corse, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain, Sweden.

Introduced into: Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, British Columbia, California, Canary Is., Central European Rus, Chile Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Colorado, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Idaho, Jamaica, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Madeira, Maine, Malawi, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Montana, Netherlands, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Northwest European R, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Peru, Poland, Québec, Réunion, Sakhalin, South European Russi, Ukraine, Uruguay, Utah, Venezuela, Vermont, Vietnam, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Zimbabwe.

Grown as: Biennial

Maturity (Bloom): Summer

Crops: Spring, Summer

Growing Conditions: This plant prefers light, moist soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.

Outdoor Growing Temp: 60°F - 90°F

Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 70°F. Foxglove needs warm (60ºF - 70ºF) soil.

Start Outdoors: Yes

Small Gardens?: Yes

Light: Sun. Partial Shade.

Water: This plant prefers consistently moist soil that drains well, since soggy soil can cause disease. Water well especially in dry periods; a layer of mulch may help conserve moisture.

Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes

Height: 48-60"

Spacing: 18-24"
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Sow Depth: On soil surface.

USDA Grow Zone: 4a-8b

Produces: thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots.
Direct sow in spring after the last frost, mixing the fine seed with sand in order to distribute it evenly. Cover it very thinly by scattering soil on top, and water lightly to avoid disturbing the seeds. Germination should take place within 3-4 weeks with a soil temperature of 65-70 degrees F. Thin or transplant seedlings to 10-12” apart. This plant prefers light, moist soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.
This plant prefers consistently moist soil that drains well, since soggy soil can cause disease. Water well especially in dry periods; a layer of mulch may help conserve moisture. In its first year of growth, foxglove will develop a low rosette of thick leaves; the flowering stalk will come in the second year. If the foliage becomes infected with powdery mildew or leaf spot, begin treatment immediately since this can damage the entire plant; either remove the infected leaves or apply a safe fungicide. Insects such as aphids, slugs, and Japanese beetles also tend to target this plant. Since a single plant can produce up to two million seeds, they will firmly establish themselves as perennials and can be rather invasive if left to themselves. The wilted flower stalks can be removed to prevent this, or the young seedlings can easily be transplanted elsewhere. This plant makes an excellent background plant because of its height, and attracts bees and hummingbirds as well as resisting deer and rabbits.
For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water. Handle carefully, since this entire plant is poisonous to humans and animals and can be fatal if ingested.
Watch the developing seed heads carefully, since they will split and release their seeds when fully ripe. As soon as the seed head can easily be opened to reveal ripe brown seed, it is ready to harvest. Remove the entire stalk or individual heads as they ripen, shaking out the seed. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.
Good companion plants for foxgloves are: Snapdragons, Zinnias, Phlox, Nicotiana, Lobelia, Cornflower, Dianthus, and Portulaca. The blue color of the Lobelia and Cornflower make a perfect complement to the pink and purple Foxgloves in your garden. Match Zinnias of multiple colors with Foxgloves to create a striking combination of textures.

While some flowers may at first seem attractive when matched with the Foxglove, consider that the plant grows an average of 2 to 3 feet tall. Ground covers like Creeping Phlox and Alyssum will look better as border plants or next to shorter plants. Aim for the companion flowers to be at least 8 inches tall, and your Foxgloves will look great when blended in with them.

Suggested Varieties

Zinnia: Canary Bird (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60
This variety has large, 4-5 inch bright yellow dahlia-type flowers. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
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Zinnia: Cherry Queen (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60
Beautiful big red blossoms grow on three-foot high plants. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
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Zinnia: Exquisite (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60

A unique and colorful Zinnia that offers a range of shades. Exquisite Zinnia is an easy to grow annual that blooms bright red and fades to soft rose pink as the blooms age. Definitely a favorite of gardeners, florists, or anyone who loves cut flowers.
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Zinnia: Luminosa (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60
These big 4-5 inch blooms are bright pink. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
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Zinnia: Orange King (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60
Large, bright orange blooms grow on this cheery variety. Zinnias are easy to grow, and bloom quickly to fill your garden or patio with color all summer. They'll keep blooming all through a hot season, and make wonderful cut flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will be attracted to them too.
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Zinnia: Polar Bear (Zinnia elegans)

$1.00 - $5.60
When Zinnias were introduced to Europeans, the flowers were referred to as 'poorhouse flower' and 'everybody's flower' because they were so easy to grow. They were also once popularly called 'youth and old age' because old blooms stay fresh as new blooms open. Years of breeding have brought striking new colors, shapes, sizes, and growing habits to the humble zinnia. No present day gardener would ever describe this versatile bloomer as anything less than eye catching. Zinnias may have fell out of favor for a while with home gardeners, but now they are back in fashion with a vengeance. They are extremely easy to grow from seed and are the perfect flower for beginners. They provide color from mid-summer to autumn and are perfect for cutting. Zinnias are a favorite flower of both gardeners and florists around the world.
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(Centaurea cyanus)

$1.00 - $5.60

Dwarf Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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(Centaurea cyanus)

$1.00 - $5.60

Tall Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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Cornflower: Tall Pink (Centaurea cyanus)

$1.00 - $5.60

Tall Pink Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1-1½” circlet of tiny pale pink flowers with a darker pink center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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