Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a biennial flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family. It grows 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Foxglove in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Foxglove at a glance
| Type | Biennial flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–77 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Foxglove toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts
All parts contain cardiac glycosides that can be fatal if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Foxglove
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Foxglove in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (14 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (18 plants)
Questions about Foxglove
- How far apart should I plant Foxglove?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Foxglove need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Foxglove need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Foxglove?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Foxglove flower?
- About 52–77 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Foxglove poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All parts contain cardiac glycosides that can be fatal if eaten.
- What grows well with Foxglove?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Foxglove. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Self-seeds freely.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Hebe Veronica speciosa
- Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia
- Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata