Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Foxgloves are tall biennials with spires of tubular, spotted flowers in purple, pink, white and apricot, much visited by bumblebees. They suit woodland and cottage gardens, but every part is highly poisonous.
Photo: Jörg Hempel · CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep the soil moist, especially in the first year.
Soil
Humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil; pH 5.5–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
-30–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Mulch with compost; extra feeding is rarely needed.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed
Cut the main spike after flowering for smaller side spikes, or leave it to self-seed.
All parts contain heart glycosides and are highly toxic to people and animals. Wear gloves and keep away from children.
Top Cultivation Tips
Sow in summer for flowers the next year.
Leave some spikes to self-seed.
Never plant near vegetable or herb beds.
Perennial hybrids flower in the first year.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →DiseasePowdery mildew
A fungal disease that coats leaves, buds and young shoots with a white, flour-like dust, weakening the plant and spoiling flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →
