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

Jacob's ladder

Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'

Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven') is a striking perennial with fragrant, multi-hued blooms. The flower stalks change colour from an intense blue at the base to a bright pink at the top, creating the look of a ladder. Foliage is a deep shade of green and, from mid-spring through summer, stems are topped with paired clusters of sweetly scented flowers. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, Jacob's ladder prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Its subtle beauty makes it ideal for borders, cottage gardens and containers.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Jacob's ladder typically starts flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map