Native Foxglove Plant Care

Dillwynia floribunda Sm.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dillwynia floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect shrub with hairy stems, crowded, grooved, linear leaves and yellow flowers with red markings.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Native Foxglove?

Plant Native Foxglove in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Native Foxglove Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Native Foxglove?

Native Foxglove (Dillwynia floribunda) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dillwynia genus. Native Foxglove is native to eastern Australia. Native Foxglove is also known as Parrot Pea.

Native Foxglove displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Native Foxglove produces showy pea-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Native Foxglove?

Water a young or newly planted Native 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 Native Foxglove Need?

Native Foxglove thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Native Foxglove Prefer?

Dillwynia floribunda tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Native Foxglove prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Native Foxglove?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Native Foxglove?

Feed Native 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 Native Foxglove?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Native 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 Native Foxglove?

Native Foxglove can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Native Foxglove?

Prune Native 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 Native Foxglove in Winter?

Native 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 Native Foxglove?

Native Foxglove can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to prickly parrot pea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Native Foxglove Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Native 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 Native Foxglove?

Native Foxglove is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. 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 Native Foxglove Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Native 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 Dillwynia genus (family Fabaceae) — search all Dillwynia species in the plant lookup.

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

More Dillwynia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dillwynia floribunda Sm., family Fabaceae (first published in Ann. Bot. (König & Sims) 1: 510 (1805)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Native 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Native 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