Foxglove Care
Digitalis purpurea
A generally biennial plant that forms a leaf rosette in the first year and flowers in the second year. It likes partial shade and moist, humus-rich soils. Because it contains digitalin, a heart medication, all parts are highly poisonous and must never be eaten.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- General care: It is in winter rest in rosette form; good drainage is important to prevent root rot.
- Pests & diseases: Root rot is the main risk.
- General care: It is getting ready to wake; clean the surroundings.
- Pests & diseases: Protect the new leaves from snails.
- Watering: If the rains are insufficient, keep the soil moist.
- Fertilizing: Once growth begins, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or compost (do not overapply).
- General care: The rosette grows rapidly and the flower stalk begins to rise from the center.
- Pests & diseases: Check for aphids and leaf spot diseases.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Fertilizing: Balanced liquid fertilizer can be given while the flower stalk is elongating.
- Plant protection: If powdery mildew or leaf spot appears, use a suitable fungicide.
- General care: The flower stalk can be tied to a support so it does not break in the wind.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for fungal diseases.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Flowering ends and the plant begins to set seed and complete its life cycle.
- Pests & diseases: A weakened plant can be vulnerable to pests.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Pests & diseases: The plant has completed its life cycle.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The bed is empty; prepare the soil for new planting (add compost and organic matter).
- Pests & diseases: The bed is empty.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: For flowering next spring, sow seeds or plant seedlings; self-sown seeds may also germinate.
- Pests & diseases: Protect newly emerging seedlings from snails.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Seedlings form their leaf rosettes before entering winter. Thin if necessary.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for root rot in young seedlings.
- General care: Young plants enter winter dormancy.
- General care: The plant is dormant as a rosette.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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