Foxglove flowers

How to collect and sow foxglove seed

Find out how to propagate foxgloves from your own saved seed, in our How-to guide.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

Foxgloves self-sow easily around the garden. However, you can also harvest and sow foxglove seed in summer in order to raise new plants in pots. These can be planted out later exactly where you want them to grow.

Foxglove seed ripens in late summer. Cut down the flower stalks before the seed is shed if you don’t want unwanted seedlings popping up in your borders, or if you want to save the seed.

Sow the seed as soon as you collect it, so that it’s fresh and seedlings are well-developed before winter. Sow in pots of pre-watered seed-sowing compost and keep the pots in a cold frame.

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You Will Need

  • Secateurs
  • 10cm pots
  • Seed compost
  • Cold frame

Step 1

Cut off the flower spikes with secateurs as the seed capsules turn brown.

How to collect and sow foxglove seed - collecting the seed
How to collect and sow foxglove seed – collecting the seed

Step 2

Shake the capsules and catch the seed that falls. Make sure your hands are dry to stop the seed sticking.

How to collect and sow foxglove seed - harvesting the seed from the pods
How to collect and sow foxglove seed – harvesting the seed from the pods

Step 3

Sprinkle the seed evenly over the compost. The seeds need light to germinate, so leave them uncovered.

How to collect and sow foxglove seed - sowing the seed into fresh compost
How to collect and sow foxglove seed – sowing the seed into fresh compost
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