Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Also called Common foxglove and Digitalis
Garden plant · PerennialsIt flowers in its SECOND year and then dies. Let one spike go to seed and you have foxgloves for good; deadhead them all and you have none.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 5 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Part shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Very hardy RHS H7, to -25°C
- Size
- 1.5 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Origin
- Western Europe
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category B — toxic if eaten.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.