Will it bloom the first year?

Usually not, as it is a biennial that focuses on foliage growth in its first season.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates.

Plant guide

Foxglove.

Digitalis purpurea

Pronounced dih-jih-TAL-iss pur-PUR-ee-uh

Also known as Common Foxglove, Digitalis, Foxglove

purple foxglove — Photo by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Foxgloves are iconic biennial plants that produce tall, dramatic spikes of bell shaped flowers. They add a classic cottage garden feel to shady borders. Keep in mind that these plants are toxic if ingested.

Another photo of Foxglove — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Biennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 150cm tall by 60cm wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Plant in well draining soil and keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watch for signs of wilting which indicate a need for water, and remove spent flower spikes to encourage a tidy appearance. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues on the foliage.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Cut back spent flower stalks to keep the plant neat.
Repotting: Repotting is rarely needed as these are typically grown in garden beds.
Soil: Loamy, humus rich, well draining
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -34 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Biennial, typically 2 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides that are dangerous to humans and pets.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children because the attractive, bell shaped flowers are tempting to pick and potentially fatal if eaten.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a major airborne allergen.
Edibility: This plant is highly toxic if ingested and can cause serious heart rhythm disturbances.

How to identify it

Tall spikes of tubular bell flowers
Basal rosettes of fuzzy green leaves
Flowers often feature speckled throats
Biennial growth habit

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, pink, white, 3 to 6cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Leaf SpotCommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the basal rosette of leaves intact through the winter to protect the crown. Mulch lightly around the base if you live in a very cold climate.
In containers: It grows well in large pots, provided they are at least 30 centimeters deep to accommodate the root system.

Seed sowing

Sow seeds on the surface of moist, well draining soil in late spring.
Do not cover the seeds as they require light to germinate.
Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge.
Thin the seedlings once they are large enough to handle.

Plant them in groups to create a striking vertical display that draws pollinators into the garden.

Grows well with

Columbine · They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
Ferns · The contrasting textures look lovely together in a shaded border.

Similar species

Yellow Foxglove · A perennial relative that offers similar height and flower shape.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Digitalis
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western and southwestern Europe.
Conservation: It is a common garden plant and not of conservation concern in its native range.

It thrives in forest clearings and disturbed soils where it can take advantage of increased light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, hummingbirds
Uses: cottage garden, pollinator garden, woodland edge

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Will it bloom the first year?: Usually not, as it is a biennial that focuses on foliage growth in its first season.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Digitalis comes from the Latin word for finger, referring to the flower shape, while purpurea refers to its typical purple color.

Good to know

Foxgloves are biennial, meaning they grow leaves the first year and flowers the second.
The plant produces thousands of tiny seeds that easily self sow in the garden.
The name foxglove likely comes from folk tales about foxes wearing the flowers as gloves.
Digitalis extract was historically used to treat heart conditions.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.