Alphabetical Plant Listing

Foxglove: How to Grow and Care with Success

Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis grandiflora, Digitalis lutea, Digitalis lutea, Digitalis parviflora, Digitalis x mertonensis, Digitalis x mertonensis


What is Foxglove?

Foxglove (Digitalis) is a tall, showy biennial or perennial plant that belongs to the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa but has naturalized in many parts of the world.

Growth Habit: Foxglove grows up to 5 feet (150 cm) tall, depending on the variety. Biennial foxgloves form a basal rosette of leaves in its first year and produce a tall stem of flowers in their second year.

Hardiness: Most foxglove varieties are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. They grow best in cool, moist climates and do not tolerate hot and humid conditions.

Flowers and Blooming Season: The flowers of foxglove are tubular and bell-shaped, and they come in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. The plant blooms in late spring to mid-summer, depending on the climate and the variety.

Uses: Foxglove is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in cottage gardens, borders, and woodland areas. Foxglove is also the source of the cardiac medication digitalis, which is derived from the plant's leaves and is used to treat heart conditions.

Toxicity: All parts of the foxglove plant, including the leaves, flowers, and seeds, are highly toxic if ingested. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause severe heart problems, including irregular heartbeats and heart failure. It is important to handle the plant with care and keep it away from children and pets.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Digitalis - Foxgloves
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Digitalis - Foxgloves Great Plant Combination Ideas with Digitalis - Foxgloves Guides with Digitalis - Foxgloves

Joe Kuis/Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 9
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Digitalis - Foxgloves
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Digitalis - Foxgloves Great Plant Combination Ideas with Digitalis - Foxgloves Guides with Digitalis - Foxgloves

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.