Foxglove
Foxglove is a flower in the Plantaginaceae family. It grows best in part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 4-9. Plants reach maturity about 365–450 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.
Varieties
2 from Seeds Now & True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity▸Foxglove365–450 days
The Foxglove flower (Digitalis purpurea) is a dramatic biennial. Produces towering 2'-3' spires of bell-shaped blossoms in shades of pink, purple, and white, often with contrasting speckles. Grows 3'-5' tall on sturdy stems with lance-shaped foliage. Perfect for a cottage garden. Compounds found in the leaves are used to make the heart drug Digoxin, but the entire plant is poisonous and should not be ingested. Life cycle: Biennial Bloom season: Spring, summer Attracts: Birds, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators Flower meaning: Ambition, creativity, energy, insincerity, intuition, pride
Growing notes: Botanical name: Digitalis purpurea|Hardiness zones: 4-9|Planting season: Spring, summer, fall|Days to maturity: 2nd year|Cold stratify: Yes|Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate|Spacing between plants:18"-24" apart|Days to germinate (sprout): 20-30 days|Germination soil temps: 65F-70F|Soil types: Loamy, rich, well-drained|Soil pH: 5.5-6.5|Water needs: Average|Sun needs: Full sun, part shade|Frost tolerant: Yes|Drought tolerant: No|Deer resistant: Yes
View on Seeds Now ↗▸Mixed Color365–450 days
Non-GMO; Container; Perennial
2nd-year maturity. Digitalis purpurea. Digitalis Mixed Color Seeds. Non-GMO, Perennial. Mixed Color foxglove seeds grow classic and delicate blooms where other flowers would wither. Mixed Color seeds deliver compact 12-18" foxgloves bursting with densely blooming stalks in shades of lavender, rose, cream, fuchsia, and ivory. Foxglove is a tolerant seasonal performer, ideal as a neat trim along the flower bed. Mixed Color foxgloves are a timeless floral shop favorite and promise to add a professional charm to your summertime baskets, arrangements, and bouquets. Approx 280,000 seeds per ounce.
View on True Leaf Market ↗
Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space foxglove about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your foxglove planting
Add foxglove to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Harden off seedlings
ProtectionUnusual this time of year.
- Routine careGradually expose plants to the outdoors· every 1 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Starting about two weeks before transplanting, set seedlings outside in a sheltered, shady spot for a few hours and lengthen their time and sun exposure each day, avoiding windy days, to prevent transplant shock.
- Routine careEase back on water and transplant on a mild daystrong evidence — extension confidence
Water a little less during hardening (without letting plants wilt) to toughen growth, then transplant in late afternoon or on a cool, cloudy, calm day.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your foxgloveand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Powdery mildew
Diseasemoderate- CulturalImprove airflow + remove worst leavesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cut out the most heavily coated leaves and thin for airflow; avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
- OrganicPotassium-bicarbonate or sulfur - label use only· every 1 wk · ~4 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply a labeled potassium-bicarbonate or sulfur fungicide weekly per the label. No sulfur within 2 weeks of oil or in high heat.
Slugs & snails
Pestmoderate- CulturalTrap, hand-pick at night, reduce cover· every 2 days · ~3 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Pick at night with a flashlight, set shallow beer traps, water in the morning so soil dries by dusk, and clear damp hiding spots.
- OrganicIron-phosphate bait - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Scatter a labeled iron-phosphate slug bait sparingly per the label; it's pet- and wildlife-safer than metaldehyde.
Spider mites
Pestmoderate- CulturalHose down and raise humidity· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Mites thrive in hot, dry, dusty conditions. Spray foliage (especially undersides) with water to dislodge them and reduce dust.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil - label use only· every 5 days · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply to undersides per label; mites resist many products, so soaps/oils are preferred. Not in extreme heat.
Aphids
Pestlow- CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.