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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Digitalis lutea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

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Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiac Diuretic Stimulant Tonic

Yellow foxglove is little used in herbal medicine but is in fact a less toxic alternative to the purple and woolly foxgloves (D. purpurea and D. lanata) which are widely used in the treatment of heart complaints[254]. The yellow foxglove has similar medical actions, but its alkaloids are more readily metabolized and flushed out of the body[254]. The leaves are cardiac, strongly diuretic, stimulant and tonic[7, 9, 46, 61]. They are used in the treatment of a weakened or failing heart, increasing the strength of contraction, slowing and steadying the heart rate and lowering blood pressure by strongly stimulating the flow of urine - which reduces overall blood volume[254]. The leaves of plants in their second year of growth are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[7]. This remedy should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, excessive doses can prove fatal[7, 254]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Preservative

An infusion of the plant added to the water in the vase will prolong the life of cut flowers[54]. When grown near root crops the roots will store better[54].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, especially if it is rich in organic matter[1]. It also succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant[188, 190]. It prefers semi-shade but succeeds in full sun if the soil is moist[188, 200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. The yellow foxglove is a good companion plant, stimulating the growth of nearby plants[54]. Root crops grown near to this plant will store better[54].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c[175]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Medicinal	Other
Digitalis ferruginea	Rusty Foxglove	Biennial/Perennial	1.2	4-9	M	LMH	SN	DM	2
Digitalis grandiflora	Large Yellow Foxglove	Perennial	0.9	3-10	M	LMH	SN	DM	2
Digitalis laevigata		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	2
Digitalis lanata	Grecian Foxglove	Biennial/Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	DM	4
Digitalis purpurea	Foxglove, Purple foxglove, Common Foxglove	Biennial	1.2	4-8	M	LMH	SN	DM	4	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Digitalis lutea - L.