Indoor Cultivation of Digitalis

Hello,

I was browsing around the internet trying to find a good plant to have in my new apartment and I came across the Digitalis (Foxglove) and thought I found a winner. I was wondering if anyone had tried planting one of these indoors and what it's temperature requirements are. Also, what kind of watering regiment am I looking at and how much time does it normally take to go from seeds to those beautiful flowers.

Thanks for the help!

-Michael G

The message from Michael Gorelick contains these words:

They grow wild here (Scotland) Few wild plants make good houseplants. Foxgloves like a cool temperate damp climate, soil that's not too dry, dappled sun or shade. In particular they need a cold rest spell in winter .In the first year from seed they just make leaves, In the second year they make flower spikes, flower only for about 6 weeks, then scatter seed, and die.

TBH I don;t think they would do well in a house; the winter conditions won't suit. You'd get a longer lasting plant and multiple flowering seasons with a woodland plant from the tropics, such as an orchid.

Janet.

Biggest problem is likely to be whether it can get enough sun indoors. Even sitting in a sunny window is significantly darker than outdoors.

I don't really know Foxglove in particular, but sun is likely to be an issue with most plants which are customarily grown outdoors for flowers or fruit.

I have grown cherry tomatoes and strawberries indoors, both of which are sun-loving, so I wouldn't necessarily give up. But that's what you're up against. If you have a window box or a balcony or a fire escape, use it.