How to Grow Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 8°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser at planting time. Foxgloves are light feeders and do not need regular feeding — too much nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flower spikes.
- All parts of foxglove are highly toxic — wear gloves when handling and keep away from children and pets. Foxgloves are biennial, flowering in their second year. Allow a few plants to set seed for natural self-sowing, or deadhead promptly to prevent unwanted spread.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Foxglove based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Direct sow
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Mature spread | 45 cm |
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser at planting time. Foxgloves are light feeders and do not need regular feeding — too much nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flower spikes.
- Watch for
-
- Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) on stems and flower spikes
- Leaf spot fungi causing brown blotches on foliage
- Powdery mildew in dry summers
- Slugs and snails on seedlings and young plants
Pests & Diseases
Pest Foxglove Aphid
Identification: Clusters of pale yellow-green aphids on stems, leaf undersides, and flower spikes; leaves may curl or distort.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water.
- Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to infested stems and spikes.
- Pyrethrin-based contact insecticide as a last resort — avoid spraying open flowers.
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in leaves and stems of seedlings and young rosettes; slime trails visible in the morning.
- Apply copper barrier tape around container-grown plants.
- Hand-pick at night or after rain.
- Use biological nematode control (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) in moist soil from spring.
- Iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe) scattered sparingly around young plants.
Disease Leaf Spot Ramularia and Phyllosticta spp.
Symptoms: Brown or tan circular spots with a darker border on leaves; spots may merge in severe cases.
Treatment: Remove and bin (do not compost) affected leaves. Improve air circulation by thinning crowded plants.
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering; water at the base in the morning. Space plants adequately at 30–45 cm.
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe spp.
Symptoms: White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces; affected leaves may yellow and drop prematurely.
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves. Apply a dilute solution of bicarbonate of soda or potassium bicarbonate spray.
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation; avoid planting in hot dry positions; keep soil consistently moist.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 8°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–20°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Foxglove?
- Plant Foxglove 30cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- Is Foxglove frost hardy?
- Foxglove is classified as Hardy.
Plan Foxglove in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free