AdewebsIf you’ve ever walked past a row of foxgloves in full bloom, you know how striking they are. Tall spires dotted with bell shaped flowers, buzzing with bees. When I first planted them on my farm, I thought they were just another short lived pretty face. Then one summer I noticed seed pods forming where the blooms had been. That was my light bulb moment. I could harvest my own foxglove seeds instead of buying packets every spring. That discovery not only saved me a good bit of money, it made me feel like I was keeping a little of the season’s magic tucked away for next year.
Farmers and gardeners in the US, UK and other cool climate regions often ask me whether foxgloves shed or self seed. They do. In fact, if left alone, a healthy foxglove will drop thousands of seeds and come back as a scatter of new plants the following year. But self seeding foxglove can be unpredictable. Sometimes they show up in awkward spots or too thickly. Harvesting your own seed gives you control over where and how many plants you’ll have. And it feels more intentional, like saving part of your harvest for the next generation.
This post is a step by step guide for farmers and gardeners who want to try harvesting and saving foxglove seeds. I’ll share my own mistakes and wins so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Whether you’re growing them for cut flowers, pollinators, or just because you like the look, knowing how to collect and store the seeds will give you a steady supply of these stunning plants. Grab a cuppa or a mug of coffee and let’s get into it.
Understanding the Foxglove Life Cycle
Foxgloves are usually biennial plants. That means they grow foliage the first year and bloom the second. After flowering, the plant sets seed and then often dies. But it leaves behind seed pods full of tiny, dust like foxglove seeds. In some climates, plants behave more like short lived perennials, but the seed saving process is the same. Knowing this rhythm helps you time your harvest.
When to Harvest Foxglove Seeds
Timing is everything with foxgloves. If you pick the seed pods too early, the seeds inside are pale and won’t germinate well. Wait until the flowers have faded and the pods have turned brown and dry. On my farm, that’s usually late summer. I walk through my foxglove patch and gently squeeze a pod. If it crumbles and tiny brown specks fall out, it’s ready. If it’s still green, I leave it a bit longer.
How to Collect the Seeds
Collecting is simple but a little messy. I like to go out on a dry morning after the dew has evaporated. Hold a paper bag under the stem and snip off the dry seed pods into it. Some folks strip the pods right off into their hands, but I find using a bag catches more. Keep going until you’ve gathered as much as you want. It’s a satisfying task, like shaking a salt shaker full of next year’s blooms.
Cleaning and Separating the Seeds
Once indoors, pour the contents of the bag onto a tray or shallow bowl. You’ll have a mix of pods and seeds. Rub the pods gently to release the seeds. They’re very small, almost like dust. Blow away or sift out the chaff. Don’t stress about getting them perfectly clean. A little bit of dried plant material won’t hurt when you sow them later.
Drying the Seeds Properly
Freshly harvested foxglove seeds are often a bit damp. Spread them out on a plate or coffee filter in a cool, dry place for a few days. This helps prevent mold in storage. I learned this the hard way my first year. I stuffed them straight into a jar and they clumped into a fuzzy mess. Give them that extra time to dry and you’ll have viable seeds for years.
Storing the Seeds
Once dry, store the seeds in a labeled envelope or jar. Keep them in a cool, dark place. I like using old spice jars or small paper packets tucked in a tin. The main thing is to keep them dry and out of direct sunlight. Some farmers even pop them in the fridge to mimic winter, which can improve germination. Whatever you use, label it with the year and variety so you know what you’re planting.
A Relatable Scenario
One autumn a few years back, I forgot to collect my foxglove seeds. Winter came early and buried the whole patch in snow. The next spring I had a jungle of self seeded foxglove plants all over my vegetable rows. They were beautiful but also a bit of a nuisance when I needed the space for carrots. Since then I always take an afternoon in late summer to harvest and store the seeds properly. Now I can plant them where I want instead of where they feel like showing up.
Sowing Your Saved Seeds
If you want to get a head start, you can sow your saved foxglove seeds in trays or directly in prepared soil. Scatter them thinly on the surface and press them in lightly. They need light to germinate, so don’t cover them too deeply. Keep the soil moist and within a couple of weeks you’ll see tiny green seedlings. Transplant them when they’re big enough to handle, spacing them out so they have room to grow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake is harvesting too soon. Immature seeds rarely sprout. Another is forgetting to dry them. Damp seeds in storage quickly mold. Also, don’t over sow when seeding foxglove in trays. It’s tempting to pour the whole envelope out but then you get a crowded mat of seedlings. Sprinkle gently and you’ll save yourself a lot of thinning later.
Do Foxgloves Shed?
Yes. After flowering, foxgloves naturally shed seeds. That’s why you often see them popping up in random corners of the garden. If you like a wild look, you can leave them to do their thing. If you prefer control, harvest the seeds and sow them yourself. Knowing this helps you plan. Farmers who rely on predictable rows will probably want to collect and plant rather than letting them self seed.
FAQs About Foxglove Seed Saving
How long do foxglove seeds stay viable?
If kept cool and dry, they’re good for at least a couple of years, sometimes longer.
Can I collect seeds from any foxglove?
Yes, but if you have hybrids the seedlings may not look exactly like the parent. That can be a fun surprise or a disappointment depending on your taste.
Are foxglove seeds dangerous?
All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, including seeds. Handle with care and keep away from curious kids or pets.
When should I sow my saved seeds?
Late summer to early autumn is ideal in most climates, or you can sow in spring under cover.
Can I grow foxglove in pots?
Yes, but choose a deep pot and keep it watered. They prefer being in the ground but pots work for short term displays.
Encouraging Natural Reseeding
If you don’t mind a little chaos, leave some seed pods on the plants to scatter naturally. This can give you a beautiful, slightly wild patch of foxgloves next year without much effort. On my farm I often let the back border self seed while harvesting seeds from the front row for more formal plantings. It’s a nice balance of order and surprise.
Caring for Seedlings
Foxglove seedlings are delicate at first. Keep them watered but not soggy. Thin them out so they’re not overcrowded. Protect them from slugs if you’re in a damp region. By autumn you’ll have sturdy rosettes ready to overwinter. They’ll shoot up flower spikes the following summer.
Why Saving Your Own Seed Matters
Saving your own foxglove seeds connects you to your plants in a different way. It’s not just about saving money. It’s about continuity. The plants blooming in your garden today can be the parents of the ones that bloom two years from now. Over time you can even select for plants that do best in your soil and climate. That’s how old farm strains of flowers develop.
A Few Final Tips
Mark your plants while they’re blooming so you remember which ones you liked best. Collect seed on a dry day. Store it properly. Don’t worry if some seedlings look different. Foxgloves are generous plants. They’ll reward even a bit of fumbling.
Wrapping It Up
Harvesting and saving foxglove seeds is easy once you know when to start and how to handle them. It gives you control over your plantings and a steady supply of those tall, bee friendly spires. It’s one of those small seasonal chores that pays off big the following year.
I still get a thrill every spring when I see neat rows of foxgloves that began as a handful of seed I saved myself. It feels like a secret handshake with the garden. Are you ready to grab a paper bag and start collecting your own foxglove seeds this season?
