Foxglove in Zone 6a & 6b
Digitalis purpurea
When to plant foxglove in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Foxglove needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 7–Feb 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 2–May 9 |
| Estimated bloom | May 1 '28–May 8 '28 (~365 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-5 ft.

Foxglove produces some of the most dramatic flower spikes of any garden biennial, tall stalks lined with tubular, often speckled blooms. It's also the source of digoxin, a real heart medication, which is a way of saying every part of this plant is toxic if eaten, not just mildly irritating.
How foxglove fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Foxglove needs about 365 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Foxglove.
Where to buy foxglove seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing foxglove" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Pin this for later
Growing Foxglove in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest