Foxglove vs Kale

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Plantaginaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Brassicaceae · vegetables

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Foxglove (Zones 4-8)

Kale (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Foxglove	Kale
Scientific Name	Digitalis purpurea	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Plantaginaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	5'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Late Spring-Summer	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Foxglove

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Kale

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View FoxgloveProfile →View KaleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Foxglove and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Foxglove grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Foxglove and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Foxglove needs part shade and medium water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Foxglove or Kale?

Foxglove grows taller at 5' compared to Kale at 2'. Foxglove spreads 1' 6" while Kale spreads 1' 6".

Are Foxglove and Kale deer resistant?

Yes, both Foxglove and Kale are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Foxglove or Kale?

Both Foxglove and Kale have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Foxglove	Kale
Scientific Name	Digitalis purpurea	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Plantaginaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	5'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Late Spring-Summer	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Europe	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Foxglove

✓Let self-seed for continuous display.
✓Plant in drifts for best effect.
✓Remove unwanted seedlings.
✓Wear gloves when handling.
✓Thrives in woodland edge conditions.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Foxglove if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Foxglove and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Foxglove grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Foxglove and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Foxglove needs part shade and medium water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Foxglove or Kale?

Foxglove grows taller at 5' compared to Kale at 2'. Foxglove spreads 1' 6" while Kale spreads 1' 6".

Are Foxglove and Kale deer resistant?

Yes, both Foxglove and Kale are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Foxglove or Kale?

Both Foxglove and Kale have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.