Foxglove

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea

What is the plant

Foxgloves are eye-catching flowering plants. These are tall, slender plants with tubular blooms. Most varieties are biennials that live for only two growing seasons, but some species can survive as perennials in some climates.

Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials commonly called foxgloves. Foxglove plants are among the most poisonous plants commonly grown in home landscapes. Do not grow them if small children or pets will be spending time in your yard. Plant taxonomy classifies the most commonly grown foxglove plants as Digitalis purpurea. Most types of foxglove plants are grouped with the biennials in the field of botany. The first year, the plant has leaves that form a rosette close to the ground. The second (and final) year, it develops a spike with blooms. Their blooms include multiple tubular, often freckled, flowers that form on a spike. They are usually nodding flowers that range in color from purple to white.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

5°C - 15°C

Hardiness zone

min 4a

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

Water
Foxglove is susceptible to crown rot, so provide it with good drainage. Keep the soil moist, but not soaked. If there is a dry period in the summer and it hasn't received 2.5 cm or 1 inch of rain in a week or the top 2 inches of soil is dry, water the plant with a drip hose.
Sunlight
They prefer a filtered morning sun and afternoon shade.
Fertilizer
Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch for winter protection if your region is borderline zone 4. Then apply a 1-inch layer of compost around the plant in early spring to encourage growth. Fertilizer is not necessary and excess nitrogen can harm the flower growth. You can add a small handful of slow-release 5-10-5 fertilizer in the early spring. Scatter it around the plant and then water over the fertilizer to help it settle. Avoid having the fertilizer touch the foliage.

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Soil
Rich, well-draining soil.
Pruning
Foxgloves come in different sizes and should be spaced accordingly, but as a general rule, it is good to space them about 2 feet apart. Stake the taller types to prevent them from flopping over in a windstorm. Do not deadhead these biennials if you want them to reseed for you.
Propagation
Complicating any positive life-cycle identification for the novice is the fact that foxglove plants often reseed themselves. As a result, what appears to be the same plant coming up again from last year may actually be a seedling from the original plant.

Disease diagnosis: ill emoji

Check your plant’s health

Temperature
Foxgloves tend to do better in cooler temperatures and may wilt in temperatures over 90ºF. They do not have any humidity requirements.
Container
Ceramic pots are the most popular type of containers for houseplants today. You'll find them in all kinds of styles, colors, and sizes. At one time, the clay pot was the most common container for indoor plants. When choosing a pot, choose a pot that is 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) larger than the current size.
Popularity
1,274 people already have this plant 464 people have added this plant to their wishlists