Foxglove: The Gorgeous Flower That Can Both Benefit and Harm Your Heart

If you wander through the lush gardens of Europe during spring, you're likely to spot numerous bell-shaped foxglove blooms (scientific name Digitalis purpurea). While they are most commonly purple, these alluring flowers can also be white, pink, or yellow. However, beneath their beauty lies a dark secret — they are incredibly toxic.

Originally from Europe, foxglove flowers are now cultivated in many parts of the world. In fact, the USDA even categorizes it as an invasive species in the Pacific Northwest [source: USDA]. The plant's name probably originates from the Anglo-Saxon term "foxes glofa" (meaning fox's glove), as early admirers believed the flower resembled the fingers of a glove [source: Cornell]. There's also a legend from Ireland suggesting that foxes would wear these flowers on their feet to silently sneak around.

The Growth Process of the Foxglove Plant

Foxgloves are biennial plants, meaning they complete their full life cycle over the course of two years. In the first year, the plant only forms a "dense rosette of leaves," as noted by John Hitchcock from the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardener Association.

In the second year, the iconic flowers will begin to bloom. If you purchase a more mature plant (instead of starting from seed), expect the rose-colored flowers to reach their peak in late spring or summer, with individual blooms about 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter.

The tall flower stalk of foxgloves can rise up to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters), often requiring staking to remain upright, according to Hitchcock. These plants thrive in partial shade and are fairly drought-tolerant, though they do best with about an inch (2.5 centimeters) of water weekly.

Some hybrids deviate from the typical life cycle described above. The strawberry foxglove, a true perennial variety, is a cross between the common foxglove and the species Digitalis grandiflora.

The Lethal Potential of Foxglove Plants

Consuming a foxglove plant can be deadly, especially if it's ingested just before the seeds ripen, at which point the plant's toxicity is at its peak. The leaves are also poisonous, with the upper leaves being more dangerous than the lower ones.

The irony of foxgloves lies in the fact that the same compounds that make them lethal also contribute to their value in medicine. When consumed, the plant's natural chemicals, called cardiac glycosides, force the heart to work harder [source: University at Buffalo].

This can be dangerous for individuals whose hearts already function at a normal pace. Whether through eating the seeds or brewing a tea from the leaves, foxglove acts similarly to heart medication, potentially causing the heart to slow down or develop an erratic rhythm. Symptoms of poisoning include dizziness, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and hallucinations.

Digitalis Purpurea and Its Role in Medicine

For individuals whose hearts aren’t functioning optimally, foxgloves, when used correctly, can actually be life-saving. This discovery was made as far back as the late 1700s, and since then, foxgloves have been used in various ways to treat conditions like congestive heart failure and irregular heartbeats [source: Britannica].

The medication derived from foxgloves is called digitalis, made from the plant's dried leaves. However, there's a very narrow margin between a safe and a dangerous dose, so it’s important to rely on professionals who know how to prepare and administer these medications properly.

Foxgloves are also used in medicine for treating fluid retention (edema), cleaning wounds, and making expectorants.

On the bright side, most people in good health are unlikely to consume foxgloves in the wild. As Robert Kourik, gardening expert and author of "Roots Demystified," points out in an email: "[It] probably tastes bad enough that you wouldn't swallow foxglove leaves." He also mentions that it's perfectly safe to touch the plant, and it poses no danger to people or animals.

Still, if foxgloves are growing near you, be cautious and watch out for young children or pets who may have a tendency to put things in their mouths, just to be on the safe side.

Transform Your Garden with Foxglove Flowers

Planting foxgloves is relatively easy. Digitalis purpurea thrive in sunlight, as long as temperatures don't become too extreme. It's best to plant the seeds in an area with some afternoon shade and ensure the soil stays moist [source: Royal Horticultural Society UK].

A few foxgloves can quickly multiply into a lush garden. "Allow some flowers to go to seed, and they'll spread across the garden," says Kourik. "I've found that self-seeded plants can grow larger (over 6 feet) than some transplanted ones," he adds.

Curious about how to let a plant "go to seed"? It's simpler than it sounds for beginner gardeners. In late summer or early fall, the plant will naturally begin to deteriorate and produce many small brown seeds. At that point, cut a stem or two and gently shake the tiny seeds onto prepared soil in the designated area [source: Groppe].

Make sure the seeds are securely placed in the soil, but don't cover them entirely, as sunlight is essential for germination. By the next spring, you'll see new foxgloves beginning to grow in their initial stages.

Alternatively, you can allow the foxgloves to self-sow, meaning they'll scatter their seeds wherever the wind takes them. If you prefer more control, you can harvest the seeds, plant them in pots, and then transplant them into the ground once they're mature enough.

Kourik shares tips on where to plant foxgloves on his website [source: Kourik]. "The seeds need to fall in an area with minimal competition, though they should still be able to grow above grasses," he writes. "Ultimately, they thrive in open soil or mulched areas, and I often find clusters flourishing where the mowed part of the garden meets wilder regions."

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