Variedleaf False Foxglove Plant Care

Agalinis heterophylla (Nutt.) Small ex Britton

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Agalinis heterophylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae known as prairie false foxglove. It is found in northern Mexico (Tamaulipas) and the southeastern and central United States.

🌱Herbs🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Water Variedleaf False Foxglove every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Variedleaf False Foxglove Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Variedleaf False Foxglove (Agalinis heterophylla) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Agalinis genus. Variedleaf False Foxglove is native to northern Mexico (Tamaulipas) and the southeastern and central United States. Variedleaf False Foxglove is also known as Variedleaf Gerardia.

Variedleaf False Foxglove displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Variedleaf False Foxglove produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Agalinis heterophylla requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Variedleaf False Foxglove Need?

Variedleaf False Foxglove thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Variedleaf False Foxglove Prefer?

Agalinis heterophylla grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Variedleaf False Foxglove prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Variedleaf False Foxglove to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Feed Variedleaf False Foxglove every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Variedleaf False Foxglove can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rough false foxglove plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Variedleaf False Foxglove Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Variedleaf False Foxglove, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Variedleaf False Foxglove?

Variedleaf False Foxglove is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Variedleaf False Foxglove Need?

Variedleaf False Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Variedleaf False Foxglove is native to northern Mexico (Tamaulipas) and the southeastern and central United States. In cooler regions, grow Variedleaf False Foxglove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Variedleaf False Foxglove is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Agalinis genus — compare its care with other Agalinis species on PlantoScan.

Agalinis is part of the Orobanchaceae plant family — browse all Orobanchaceae genera and species.

Variedleaf False Foxglove thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Agalinis Species

Other Agalinis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Agalinis heterophylla (Nutt.) Small ex Britton, family Orobanchaceae (first published in Ill. Fl. N. U.S. 3: 209 (1913)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Variedleaf False Foxglove, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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