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.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
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?
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.
