Toxic if eaten
Toxic - do not eat. All parts of foxglove (leaves, flowers, stems, roots) contain cardiac glycosides that disrupt the heart, and poisoning can be severe or fatal. Grow it as an ornamental only, and keep it away from children and pets.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
flowerTall, old-fashioned cut flowers with spikes of tubular blooms ranging from white to deep purple-red. A cool-season biennial that blooms in its second year, beloved by bumblebees and hummingbirds. The sheer flower spikes add dramatic height to any garden.
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Sun
partial shade
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Water
Every 3 days
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Bloom
~12 months
to first bloom
📊
Difficulty
medium
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Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
↔️
Spacing
18-24 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Surface sow — needs light
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, moist
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light application in spring of the second year as growth resumes
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release
🌱 Growing Guide
Sow outdoors in late spring or early summer for blooms the following year - foxglove is biennial and needs a cold period to trigger flowering. Or buy an established plant already in or near bloom in spring for first-year color. Self-seeds freely and establishes as a recurring presence once planted. Prefers partial shade in hot climates. All parts are toxic; wear gloves when handling.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first bloom
May 31
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Roses — Taller foxgloves provide structure while drawing pollinators to the rose bed
- Fruit trees — Draws bumblebees that improve pollination of fruit blossoms
- Any ornamental border — Provides vertical drama and a long-season nectar source for native bees and hummingbirds
- Shade garden edge — Thrives in dappled light where few tall companions do
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
General pests
Primarily a pollinator and beneficial insect attractor rather than a direct pest deterrent; bumblebee activity it attracts benefits neighboring plants
The beneficial insects drawn in by foxglove include aphid predators that benefit the whole garden
Plant in well-drained soil with good airflow; remove debris where slugs shelter
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut flower spikes for arrangements when about one-third to one-half of the florets on the spike are open. Lateral spikes appear after the main stem is cut, extending the display. Wear gloves when cutting as all parts contain cardiac glycosides.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Not a food plant — all parts are toxic if ingested. Historically important as the source of digitalis compounds used in heart medicine. Ecologically important as a bumblebee forage plant.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Toxic - do not eat. All parts of foxglove (leaves, flowers, stems, roots) contain cardiac glycosides that disrupt the heart, and poisoning can be severe or fatal. Grow it as an ornamental only, and keep it away from children and pets.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.