Greek Foxglove Plant Care

Greek Foxglove (Digitalis ikarica) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Digitalis genus. Greek Foxglove is native to the East Aegean islands.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Greek 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.

Greek Foxglove thrives in partial shade to full sun.

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

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

Feed Greek 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.

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

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.

Greek 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.

Greek 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.

Prune Greek 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.

Greek 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.

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

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Greek 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.

Greek Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Greek Foxglove is native to the East Aegean islands. In cooler regions, grow Greek Foxglove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.