Carian Foxglove Plant Care

Digitalis cariensis Boiss. ex Jaub. & Spach

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its striking clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink and purple, Digitalis cariensis is a showstopper in any garden. Hailing from the mountainous regions of Turkey, this biennial plant is coveted by plant collectors for its unique beauty and ability to attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Carian Foxglove?

Plant Carian Foxglove in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 7a–9b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Carian Foxglove Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Carian Foxglove?

Carian Foxglove (Digitalis cariensis) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Digitalis genus. Carian Foxglove is native to southwestern to southern Turkey.

Carian Foxglove displays an upright, spiky rosette growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Carian Foxglove produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Carian Foxglove?

Water a young or newly planted Carian Foxglove every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Carian Foxglove Need?

Carian Foxglove thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Carian Foxglove Prefer?

Digitalis cariensis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Carian Foxglove prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Carian Foxglove?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Carian Foxglove to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Carian Foxglove?

Feed Carian Foxglove every 6 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 6 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 Carian Foxglove?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Carian Foxglove is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 9b.

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 Carian Foxglove?

Carian Foxglove can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Carian Foxglove?

Prune Carian 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 Carian Foxglove in Winter?

Carian Foxglove is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Carian Foxglove?

Carian Foxglove can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rusty foxglove plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Carian Foxglove Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic if ingested, can cause severe discomfort

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 Carian Foxglove?

Carian Foxglove is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Carian Foxglove Need?

Carian Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Carian Foxglove is native to southwestern to southern Turkey.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 7a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Carian 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 Digitalis genus — compare its care with other Digitalis species on PlantoScan.

Digitalis is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.

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

More Digitalis Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Digitalis cariensis Boiss. ex Jaub. & Spach, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Ill. Pl. Orient. 5: t. 409 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Carian Foxglove is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Carian Foxglove Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species