Species Jacob's ladder Guide
light-blue flowers with blue buds, yellow-green leaves and olive stems

Jacob's ladder

Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Lavender blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Jacob's ladder prefers moist soil but should never be soggy, so water when the top inch of soil is dry. Water the plant with about 1/2 - 1 inch of water each week, but water more during hot and dry weather. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to allow for better drainage. Avoid overwatering; if in doubt, err on the side of underwatering.

sunlight

Jacob’s ladder is a sun-loving plant species and it thrives in full sunlight or partial sunlight throughout the day. When grown indoors, the plant needs to be placed in a sunny spot near a window that receives direct sun for at least 6-8 hours each day, ideally in the morning. In outdoor gardens, the best location for this plant is in a well-drained and sunny spot. This species of plant should not be grown in areas that receive too much shade as that will reduce its flowering display.

pruning

Jacob's ladder should be pruned lightly at the end of the summer to maintain its shape. Cut back the straggling stems by about 1-third of their length. Be careful not to prune any stems back to bare wood, as new growth may not regenerate. Remove any dead, yellowing, or brown foliage. Every 3-4 years, you can also prune at the base of the plant to control its size and shape. Cut it back to the ground in early spring and new growth will emerge.