How to Grow and Care for Foxgloves in Containers
Intro: The common foxglove plant produces beautiful cascading trumpetlike flowers that range from purple to gray to white. Depending on the species and variety, foxglove flowers can be different colors (yellow, pink, red, etc.) or have spots inside of the blooms. It’s flowers inspired the plant’s genus name Digitalis, meaning fingerlike, and a human finger can fit easily into one of the flowers.
In the foxglove flower’s first year in a plant container, the plant grows its stem and its green, fuzzy leaves (leaves grow in rosette form). It is not until the second year that flowers bloom on its tall stalk. If you have a shady balcony garden, or if you want to attract hummingbirds or butterflies, consider the dramatic 3- to 5-foot, flower-packed foxglove
Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea (and other Digitalis species)
Plant Type: Biennial flower (often considered a short-lived perennial)
Light: Partial sun to complete shade
Water: When it comes to watering foxglove flowers, keep the potting soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Zone: Zone 4 to 8
Temperature: Foxglove flowers do better in cooler areas. This container plant does not tolerate extreme heat as well.
Fertilizer: Use a liquid fertilizer once a month as the foxglove plant is growing.
Pests and Diseases: Foxglove pug larvae will often eat the foxglove’s flowers. Many moth and butterfly species eat foxglove’s leaves. Insect pests and diseases are not common.
Propagation: Propagate the foxglove flower by seeds. If you are impatient and want blooms right away, purchase an established plant from your local garden shop. Otherwise you will have to wait more a year after planting for the biennial foxglove to flower. Do not deadhead foxglove flowers if you want the plant to produce seeds for the next growing season.
Misc. Info: The foxglove plant does best in acidic potting soil. Foxglove leaves are poisonous and are used in medicines. The foxglove plant blooms from the late spring until September. Deadhead flowers by removing the whole flower spike as the flowers start to die. This will increase the chance that it will bloom again.
