When to plant Foxglove in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow foxgloves direct from March to May, pressing the dust-fine seed onto moist soil and barely covering it with no more than 3 mm of fine mix. In the subtropics this autumn window is essential — the seed germinates in 14–35 days as the heat fades, and plants grow through the mild winter to send up their tall flower spikes the following season. Foxglove is a biennial that takes 120–130 days or more to flower, so give it a permanent spot. Space plants 30–40 cm apart in rows 30–45 cm apart, in a cool, lightly shaded, humus-rich bed.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to May.

Growing notes

Foxgloves are cool-climate plants that need careful placement to succeed in warm coastal gardens around Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Lismore. The trick is treating them as an autumn-sown, winter-grown crop and giving them protection from summer extremes.

Humidity is the main threat. In the subtropical wet, crown rot and powdery mildew hit crowded, over-watered plants. Manage it by:

• Planting in dappled or afternoon shade, never a hot, exposed bed.
• Using a free-draining, compost-rich soil so water never pools at the crown.
• Watering the soil, not the rosette, and keeping mulch clear of the base.

The most common failure is sowing too late and losing seedlings to summer heat and rain before they establish. Stick to the autumn window so the rosette can build over winter. Because the seed is so fine, sow onto the surface and firm it in rather than burying it, then keep the top layer just moist during the slow 14–35 day germination. Every part of the plant is toxic, so wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from where children play. Let a spike or two set seed and it will often self-sow into the same shaded corner.

Foxglove at a glance

Common questions

Can foxgloves grow in the subtropics?

Yes, but they must be treated as an autumn-sown, winter-grown crop and given a cool, lightly shaded spot. Sow from March to May so the biennial rosette establishes before summer heat and humidity, which otherwise cause rot.

Why are my foxglove seeds not coming up?

The seed is extremely fine and needs light to germinate, so sow it on the surface and barely cover it, no more than 3 mm. Germination is also slow, taking 14–35 days, so keep the soil just moist and be patient.

When do foxgloves flower after sowing?

They are biennials, so although the count from sowing to first bloom is around 120–130 days, in practice plants sown in autumn grow through winter and flower the following spring. Give them a permanent position for that reason.

Are foxgloves safe to grow around children?

All parts of the foxglove are toxic if eaten, so plant them away from areas where children and pets graze, and wear gloves when handling the plants. They are grown for their flower spikes, not for eating.

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