How to collect and sow foxglove seed

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 3 April 2019 at 3:00 pm

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

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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.

You Will Need

Secateurs
10cm pots
Seed compost
Cold frame

Step 1

How to collect and sow foxglove seed - collecting the seed

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

Step 2

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

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

Step 3

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

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

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