Common foxglove
Also known as
Purple foxglove, Foxglove, Lady’s glove, Fairy gloves, Witches’ thimbles
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Common foxglove
Digitalis purpurea, commonly called common foxglove, is a short-lived biennial (occasionally a short-lived perennial) famed for its tall, stately spikes of tubular, pendulous flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, and cream, often spotted inside the throats. In its first year it forms a low rosette of softly hairy, lanceolate leaves; in the second year it bolts, flowering from late spring to midsummer, reaching 0.9–1.8 m in height. A classic plant of woodland edges and cottage gardens, it thrives in cool, moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils, ideally slightly acidic. It is a magnet for bumblebees, whose large bodies effectively pollinate the deep flowers. Foxglove readily self-seeds, naturalizing into drifts if spent flower spikes are left to ripen. All parts are highly toxic if ingested due to cardiac glycosides (source of the drugs digoxin and digitoxin); handle with care, wear gloves if sensitive, and keep away from children and pets. Despite its toxicity, it is invaluable for vertical interest, wildlife support, and naturalistic plantings.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Common foxglove
Water
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during rosette formation and while flower spikes are developing. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogging, which predisposes roots to rot; excellent drainage is essential on heavy soils. Mulch with leaf mold or compost to conserve moisture and buffer temperature. For containers, water when the top 2–4 cm are dry, ensuring excess drains freely; never leave pots standing in saucers of water.
Light
Provide partial shade or dappled light—morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. In cool, maritime climates, foxglove tolerates full sun if soil stays evenly moist. In hotter regions, too much midday or afternoon sun can scorch leaves and shorten bloom; conversely, deep shade reduces flowering and leads to floppy stems. Aim for 3–6 hours of direct sun or bright, filtered light. Good air movement helps prevent foliar diseases, especially in humid areas or crowded plantings.
Nutrients
Foxglove prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich soil and rarely needs heavy feeding. Incorporate compost or well-rotted leaf mold at planting and top-dress each spring. In containers or poor soils, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) at half to three-quarter rate in early spring, with a light supplemental liquid feed mid-season if growth flags. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes lush foliage at the expense of flower spikes and increases lodging. Maintain soil organic matter and mulch to conserve moisture and support steady growth.
Temperature
Digitalis purpurea is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, tolerating winter cold to about −29 to −20 °C when well established and mulched. Optimal growth occurs in cool conditions (10–24 °C). Prolonged heat above 30 °C can shorten bloom and stress plants, so provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture in hot climates. Young rosettes benefit from winter protection in exposed sites. Vernalization (winter chill) promotes robust flowering in the second year. Avoid extreme freeze–thaw cycles by maintaining a light mulch.
