Foxgloves are some of the most beautiful flowers you can grow. Not only do they look great but they also attract pollinators to your garden too.
But not all plants are good companions for foxglove. Lots will fight for nutrients, bring in pests that cause problems and even stop foxgloves from growing properly.
So it’s a good idea to get to know which plants you shouldn’t be planting with foxgloves. This way you can create a balanced garden that works.
So the following nine plants are ones you should avoid planting near to foxglove and why.
Why Compatibility Matters in the Garden
When you plant species that work together it helps with growth, gives you better better soil health and reduces the risk of pests and diseases. There are some plants that share the nutrients and water but others can fight for those resources which makes for weaker plants.
Foxglove takes a lot of nutrients and needs consistently moist soil. But it doesn’t do well in spaces that are too crowded. It also has toxic substances that can be a problem for certain plants and animals.
So being careful about what you plant near your foxgloves can mean the difference between a successful garden and one that struggles.
1. Impatiens
Impatiens are very popular flowers that bloom all the way throughout the season. They look great but don’t work as a good companion for foxgloves.
Why Impatiens Are a Problem:
- Light Requirement Mismatch: Impatiens need full shade but foxgloves like partial sun. Planting them together means that one of the plants will not get the light its really needs.
- Watering Conflicts: Impatiens like moist soil that drains well whereas foxgloves need consistent moisture. If you don’t water enough the foxgloves can wilt but if you water too much the impatiens can end up with root rot.
- Fungal Disease Risk: Impatiens get powdery mildew and downy mildew which can then spread to foxgloves and make them grow poorly.
2. Coral Bells
Coral bells are look wonderful and will grow in shady areas. However they don’t work well with foxgloves.
Why Coral Bells Are a Problem:
- Conflicting Light Preferences: Coral bells like full to partial shade but foxgloves need partial sun. This can cause poor growth for both.
- Space Competition: Coral bells spread out close to the ground which stops the air from flowing and can also overcrowd the foxglove. In turn it can increase the risk of fungal diseases.
- Nutrient Competition: Both plants like rich and organic soil which means they will fight over the same nutrients and possibly make both plans weaker.
3. Sedum
Sedum (also known as stonecrop) is a succulent that grows well in dry conditions. The fact that it like drier conditions makes it a poor match for the foxgloves that love water.
Why Sedum Is a Problem:
- Watering Needs Conflict: Sedum grows best in dry soil while foxglove needs the soil to stay moist. Overwatering to accommodate foxglove can cause root rot in sedum.
- Soil Type Differences: Foxgloves prefers soil that is full of nutrients but sedum does best in rocky, sandy soil. These are so different it means they’re too incompatible to work.
- Growth Habit: Sedum spreads quite far and covers the ground which can potentially crowd the roots of the foxglove, meaning it won’t be able to grow well.
4. Oleander
Oleander is grows fast and has beautiful blooms. But it comes with issues when planted near foxgloves.
Why Oleander Is a Problem:
- Highly Toxic: Both foxglove and oleander are extremely toxic. Planting them together makes it more likely children, pets or other wildlife will eat them and be affected.
- Soil and Water Needs Mismatch: Oleander likes dry soil but foxgloves grows best in moist soil with lots of nutrients in it.
- Growth Size Conflict: Oleanders can grow large and create shade that blocks the sun from foxgloves and stop them from getting what they need.
5. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are bright and cheerful but can mess with how other plants grow, including foxgloves.
Why Sunflowers Are a Problem:
- Allelopathic Effects: Sunflowers release substances into the soil that can stop the growth of any plants close by.
- Excessive Sun Exposure: Sunflowers like lots of sun which is too much for foxgloves. They also grow tall and can block the light from getting to foxgloves.
- Nutrient Depletion: Sunflowers take up a lot of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which can result in foxgloves not getting the nutrients they need.
6. New England Aster
New England aster flowers in the late season and attracts pollinators but it is not a good match for foxglove.
Why New England Aster Is a Problem:
- Pest Attraction: New England asters attract the aster leafhopper which can also bring in pathogens that cause deformities in other plants like foxgloves.
- Aggressive Growth: Asters will grow and spread quickly and take up lots of space which can crowd out foxgloves.
- Moisture Competition: Asters like drier soil but foxglove’s need for soil that is moist.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary works well with many plants but sadly not foxgloves.
Why Rosemary Is a Problem:
- Allelopathic Effects: Rosemary releases substances into the soil that can stop the growth of others plants that are close to it.
- Dry Soil Preference: Rosemary likes soil that is dry and drains well but foxglove needs the soil to be moist.
- Space Conflict: Rosemary grows big and bushy and doing so can crowd out foxgloves and stop the air flowing around them.
8. Gladiolus
Gladiolus grow in the summer and look fantastic but sadly don’t work with foxgloves.
Why Gladiolus Is a Problem:
- Nutrient Competition: Gladiolus need soil that is full of nutrients and fight with foxgloves for minerals.
- Growth Habit Conflict: Both plants grow tall which cause issues around too much shade and getting crowded.
- Root Disruption: Gladiolus need lots of digging and replanting of corms which will upset the soil around the foxglove roots.
9. Yarrow
Yarrow doesn’t need much water and spreads a lot which makes it a bad choice to plant with for foxgloves.
Why Yarrow Is a Problem:
- Invasiveness: Yarrow spreads too quickly and can push out foxglove leaving it not enough space to grow.
- Pest Attraction: Yarrow attracts aphids and spittlebugs which can then spread to foxgloves.
- Soil and Watering Conflicts: Yarrow grows best in dry, poor soil but foxgloves need moist soil that’s full of nutrients.
Good Companions for Foxglove
Some plants work well with foxgloves because they help with their growth. Try planting these plants your foxgloves for more success:
- Hydrangeas: Grow well in similar soil and need the same sort of moisture.
- Columbines: Looks great when planted near to foxgloves in cottage gardens.
- Dianthus: Doesn’t compete for nutrients.
- Salvias: Attract pollinators but doesn’t overwhelm foxglove.
Tips for Successful Companion Planting
- Match Light and Water Needs: Choose plants that need the same amount of sun and water.
- Consider Growth Habits: Don’t pick plants that fight for space or nutrients.
- Monitor for Pests: Be aware of plants that get a lot of pests as they could affect foxgloves.
Final Thoughts
If you choose the right plants it can help foxgloves to grow even better. But you have to avoid ones that fight over nutrients, water etc. and that could bring in pests. If you avoid those then you’re more likely to have a garden that is successful.