Yellow False Foxglove Plant Care
Aureolaria flava (L.) Farw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aureolaria flava, commonly called smooth yellow false foxglove or Gérardie jaune, is a species of plant in the broomrape family that is native to the eastern United States and some parts of southern Canada. Aureolaria flava is a species of flowering plants found within the genus Aureolaria.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Yellow False Foxglove?
Plant Yellow False Foxglove in partial shade to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Yellow False Foxglove Native To?
What Is the Yellow False Foxglove?
Yellow False Foxglove (Aureolaria flava) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Aureolaria genus. Yellow False Foxglove is native to the eastern United States and some parts of southern Canada. Yellow False Foxglove is also known as Yellow Gerardia.
Yellow False Foxglove displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Yellow False Foxglove produces small tubular flowers in shades of yellow or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Yellow False Foxglove?
Water a young or newly planted Yellow False Foxglove every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Yellow False Foxglove Need?
Yellow False Foxglove thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Yellow False Foxglove in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
50–200 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yellow False Foxglove Prefer?
Aureolaria flava tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Yellow False Foxglove prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yellow False Foxglove?
Well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Yellow False Foxglove to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Yellow False Foxglove?
Feed Yellow False Foxglove every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Yellow False Foxglove?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Yellow False Foxglove is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Yellow False Foxglove?
Yellow False Foxglove can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Yellow False Foxglove?
Prune Yellow False Foxglove while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Yellow False Foxglove in Winter?
Yellow False Foxglove is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Yellow False Foxglove?
Yellow False Foxglove can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to largeflower yellow false foxglove plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Yellow False Foxglove Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Yellow 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 Yellow False Foxglove?
Yellow False Foxglove is susceptible to not highly susceptible to pests. 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 Yellow False Foxglove Need?
Yellow False Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Yellow False Foxglove is native to the eastern United States and some parts of southern Canada. In cooler regions, grow Yellow False Foxglove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Yellow 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 Aureolaria genus — compare its care with other Aureolaria species on PlantoScan.
Aureolaria is part of the Orobanchaceae plant family — browse all Orobanchaceae genera and species.
Yellow False Foxglove copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aureolaria flava (L.) Farw., family Orobanchaceae (first published in Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 20: 188 (1918 publ. 1919)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Yellow 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 12a, 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.
