How to Grow Foxgloves

These majestic yet unpretentious biennial plants are perfect for shady spots and cottage gardens. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow foxgloves from seed.

Latin
Digitalis purpurea
Family: Plantaginaceae

Difficulty
Easy

Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Zone: Hardy to Zone 4

Timing
Direct sow outdoors after last frost for flowers the following year. In mild winter areas, direct sow in autumn as well. For flowers the first year, sow indoors very early, in December or January for transplanting 2-3 weeks before last frost. Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 15-18°C (60-65°F).

Starting
Sow on the surface. Space or transplant 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.

Growing
Water plants deeply on a regular basis. Cut off finished flowering stems to prevent self-sowing. Otherwise, expect foxgloves to naturalize around your garden. Foxgloves will languish in periods of heat and drought, so provide extra moisture during those times. If allowed to go to seed, foxgloves tend to self sow for several generations.