Common Foxglove plant profile
Digitalis purpurea
A perennial flower for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Common Foxglove
Common foxglove is a short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial: it forms a leaf rosette the first year and a tall flower spike the second. Set out plants in spring in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil with afternoon shade; allow some flowers to set seed so the planting persists.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Common Foxglove in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 12 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: fungal diseases, mealybugs.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.