Foxgloves add elegant vertical spikes to the summer garden. Their tubular flowers come in a range of colors like purple, pink, white, yellow and peachy-pink. Before you can enjoy their beautiful blooms, you need to know the best time to sow foxglove seeds.
Foxgloves are biennials, meaning they take two years to complete their lifecycle They form leaves the first season and flower the next This makes timing key when starting foxgloves from seed.
I’ve had great success growing foxgloves in my garden for over a decade Here are my tips on when to plant foxglove seeds both indoors and directly outside to get a bounty of flowers,
Foxglove Varieties That Bloom the First Year
Some newer foxglove hybrids are bred to bloom their first season when started early indoors. I’ve had luck with:
- Dalmatian Peach foxgloves
- Camelot hybrids
- Foxy series
These can be sown 10-12 weeks before your last frost and planted out soon after the danger of frost passes. Give them rich soil, partial shade and consistent moisture. With this head start, they’ll produce flowers in their first summer.
They won’t be as large or prolific bloomers as second year plants. But it’s a great option if you want quick foxglove gratification. Just remember they are annuals and won’t come back the next year.
When to Start Foxgloves Indoors
For most biennial foxglove varieties like the common Digitalis purpurea, an early indoor start is essential. This gives them time to develop lush leafy growth before being planted out in the garden.
Here are the ideal seed starting times for your climate:
Hot Summer Climates
Start seeds indoors in early spring, around February or March. Grow the seedlings until overnight temperatures are comfortably above freezing before transplanting outside in April/May. This prevents shock from sudden cold.
Avoid starting too early indoors or plants may stretch and weaken. Wait until just 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Cool Summer Climates
Wait to start seeds indoors in mid to late spring, around April or May. Transplant seedlings out into the garden in early summer, once all danger of frost has passed.
In my zone 6 garden, I sow seeds in April and transplant foxgloves out in June for flowering the following year. The key is giving plants 3-4 months of growth before winter dormancy.
Tips for Indoor Success
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Use a seed starting mix, not garden soil which can contain disease organisms. Moisten it well before planting.
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Sow 3-5 seeds per cell in case some don’t germinate. Seeds need light to sprout so just press into the soil surface and sprinkle with a thin layer of vermiculite.
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Keep soil moist, about 60-70°F. Germination takes 14-21 days.
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Once sprouted, grow seedlings on at 60-65°F until transplanting time. Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Harden off for 7-10 days before planting into the garden.
Direct Sowing Foxglove Seeds Outdoors
Foxgloves can be directly sown into the garden in late summer or fall. This imitates their natural cycle of dropping ripe seeds in summer that sprout the following spring.
Summer Sowing
In mid to late summer, sow fresh foxglove seeds directly into a prepared garden bed. The key is timing – seeds need 2-3 months of growth before winter so don’t sow too late.
I sow outdoors in July or August for flowers the next year. Scatter seeds, then lightly cover with about 1⁄4 inch of fine soil or compost. Keep this area consistently moist for best germination which takes 10-20 days.
Thin seedlings to 8-12 inches apart. Mulch for winter protection after plants go dormant once frost hits.
Fall Sowing
Late fall is another option for direct sowing. Scatter seeds into pots or trays in October or November, then shelter them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse over winter.
The cold period and moisture mimics natural winter conditions to break dormancy. In early spring, transplant seedlings out once the soil warms.
This late sowing means plants are smaller going into winter. Take care to prevent drying out which can kill small seedlings. A protective row cover helps retain moisture.
Transplanting Foxgloves Started Indoors
Foxgloves started indoors from an early spring sowing will be ready to plant out in summer or fall. Here are tips for a successful transition:
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Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting. Set pots outdoors in partial shade for a few hours, gradually increasing time outside.
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Test soil warmth with your hands before planting. It should feel pleasantly warm, above 55 ̊F.
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Space plants 12-15 inches apart in groups or toward the back of flower borders. They reach 4+ feet tall!
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Water transplants daily the first week, then as needed to keep soil slightly moist but not soggy wet. Add mulch to retain moisture.
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Stake tall varieties if exposed to wind. Some flopping over is natural but staking prevents breakage.
Ideal Conditions for Flowering Foxgloves
To ensure your foxgloves thrive and flower abundantly their second season, provide:
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Organically rich, moderately fertile soil. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers which promote leafy growth over blooms.
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Consistent moisture, about 1 inch weekly. Water at soil level, not over foliage.
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Light afternoon shade in hot climates. They tolerate partial sun in cooler zones.
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Shelter from strong wind and storms. Stake tall varieties if needed.
Follow these guidelines on when to start seeds and you’ll have breathtaking foxglove flowers next year. Let us know your favorite varieties to grow in the comments!
Where to Plant Foxglove Seeds
Foxglove prefers Full Sun, but can tolerate Partial Shade conditions. In warmer climates, Partial Shade can be preferable. Choose an area with some wind protection, as regular wind exposure can impact the growth pattern.
When to Plant Foxglove Seeds
Direct sow after all threat of frost has passed, up to early Summer. Can also be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the final frost date.
How to Grow Foxglove From Seed to Plant : Sowing Guide Sowing Digitalis Purpurea Seeds
When do foxglove seeds ripen?
The foxglove flowers have completed blooming and the lower seed pods are drying and splitting open. The timing of the foxglove seed pods ripening depends upon your climate and when the plants bloomed for you. Mine bloomed in late May / early June and the seeds were ripening in July. Is Foxglove Poisonous?
How long do foxglove seeds take to germinate?
**Foxglove seeds** typically take **14 to 21 days** to germinate.When you sow foxglove seeds, here’s what you can do to encourage successful germination: 1.**Sowing Method**: You can sow foxglove seeds
When should I plant foxglove seeds?
They are biennial or short-lived perennials that add height and vibrant blooms to garden spaces. In my experience, the ideal time to plant foxglove seeds is in early summer, directly into the garden. In milder climates, autumn sowing can also yield good results as it provides a jumpstart to growth come spring.
How long does it take a foxglove to grow?
It will take 6 to 8 weeks for the foxglove seedlings to get to a good size to plant out. It’s amazing to see them grow from such a tiny seed to a good sized seedling within that time frame. Once planted out, the plants will not flower until the following year, therefore it takes a full year for a foxglove to grow from seed to flower.
