Flower profile

Purple foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–July across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Purple foxglove is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 4 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

22states where USDA records it

4Bloomipedia state lists include it

24,237U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove or common foxglove, is a toxic species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. It has also naturalized in parts of North America, as well as some other temperate regions. The plant is a popular garden subject, with many cultivars available. It is the original source of the heart medicine digoxin.
From Wikipedia's article Digitalis purpurea, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a biennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 22 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Washington, Oregon, Alaska and New Hampshire. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–August. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 9,014 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #6 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 5,361 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #14 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 533 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #80 among the 121 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (2,474 records)

Bloom time in the 4 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Washington	Introduced	May–July	9,014
Oregon	Introduced	May–August	5,361
Alaska	Introduced	few records (20)	533
New Hampshire	Introduced	few records (28)	205

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Washington.
Oregon: Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oregon. ^{OAR 603-073-0070}
Alaska: No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Alaska.
New Hampshire: Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Hampshire. ^{NH Ncr 312}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: flowers, leaves, roots, stems. Symptoms they list: “Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, severe headache, irregular and slow pulse, tremors, unusual color visions, convulsions, Cardiac arrhythmias, death” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Foxglove” (Digitalis purpurea) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records purple foxglove in 22 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Whitman.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wallowa, Washington, Yamhill.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Ketchikan Gateway.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Purple foxglove a high shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.5 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -13 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: Low
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 5.5 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: -13 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 190
Annual precipitation range: 40 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth: 6 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Lifespan: Short
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Black · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by: seed
Commercial availability: No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for DIPU. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Introduced; Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 113 counties across 17 states; the most are in Oregon (19), Washington (19), California (18).

More from the Plantaginaceae family (29 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Bird's-eye speedwell, Butter-and-eggs (common toadflax), White turtlehead, Foxglove beardtongue, Heath speedwell, Canada toadflax, Culver's root, Texas toadflax.

More Washington flowers

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Pacific trillium

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Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile DIPU.
iNaturalist, Digitalis purpurea: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Digitalis purpurea (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
New Hampshire: New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020).
New Hampshire: NH Prohibited Invasive Species List (Agr 3800, Table 3800.1).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Digitalis purpurea (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
Photo: Kent P. McFarland via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.