Foxglove Plant Care

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Digitalis genus. Foxglove is native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. Foxglove is also known as Common Foxglove, Purple Foxglove.

Foxglove displays an upright, spiky rosette growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. 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 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.

Foxglove thrives in partial shade to full sun.

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

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

Feed 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Foxglove can be propagated through seeds.

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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.

Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Foxglove is native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. In cooler regions, grow Foxglove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.