Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a striking garden plant known for its dramatic height and spires of bell-shaped flowers. These blooms attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds and provide vertical interest in the garden. Growing foxglove from seed is the most economical way to cultivate them, offering access to a wider variety of specialized cultivars. This method results in robust, well-established plants.
Timing and Necessary Preparation
Foxgloves are typically biennials; they establish a leafy rosette in the first year and flower in the second year before setting seed. To ensure blooms the following summer, the common planting time is late spring or early summer, allowing the plant to reach sufficient size before winter dormancy. Alternatively, for first-year blooms from hybrid varieties, sow seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the final expected spring frost.
Preparing for sowing requires simple materials, including a sterile seed-starting mix. You will need seed trays or small pots with adequate drainage holes. Fill the container with the moistened mix, level it, and lightly firm the surface for the tiny seeds.
The Mechanics of Sowing Foxglove Seeds
Foxglove seeds are minute and require light to initiate germination. Therefore, the seeds must be surface-sown directly onto the prepared, moist surface of the seed-starting mix without any soil covering. Gently pressing the seeds into the medium ensures good contact without burying them.
Maintaining constant moisture is paramount, but overhead watering can dislodge the small seeds. Water the tray from the bottom, allowing the mix to wick up moisture until the surface is damp. The optimal germination temperature range is between 60°F and 75°F. Covering the tray with a clear plastic dome helps maintain high humidity, and seedlings should emerge within two to three weeks.
Care for Emerging Seedlings and Transplanting
Once seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, thin them to prevent overcrowding. Use small scissors to snip the weaker seedlings at the soil line, leaving the remaining plants spaced adequately to grow without competing for light and nutrients. Continue bottom watering to keep the soil consistently moist, as young plants are susceptible to drying out and fungal issues like damping-off if overwatered from above.
Before moving the young foxgloves to their permanent garden location, they must undergo a hardening-off period. This acclimates them to the harsher outdoor environment by gradually introducing them to sunlight, wind, and cooler temperatures over seven to ten days. Begin with just a few hours in a sheltered, shady spot and slowly increase the duration and exposure.
Foxgloves thrive best when transplanted into a location that receives partial shade, especially protection from intense afternoon sun. The chosen site must have well-draining, fertile soil, as the plants are prone to crown rot in soggy conditions. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, setting the plant at the same depth it was growing in the container. Ensure plants are spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for mature growth.
Important Safety Considerations
All parts of the foxglove plant contain potent cardiac glycosides, such as digitoxin and digoxin. These compounds are highly toxic if ingested by humans or animals. Even small quantities can disrupt heart function, leading to severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Gardeners should always wear gloves when handling the plant, especially when thinning seedlings or collecting seeds, as the compounds can cause skin irritation. Due to this severe toxicity, ensure foxgloves are planted in areas inaccessible to small children and household pets. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek immediate professional medical or veterinary assistance.