Tips on how to grow Solomon’s seal plant

This plant is actually an elegant woodland plant that is native to North America. Though the dangling, white flowers and the black seed pods that follow are really charming, it is actually the arching stems and foliage that really makes Solomon’s seal plant a favorite in shade gardens and woodland settings. Once the plant is established, the plant will slowly spreads out and creates a nodding blanket of foliage that turns into a golden yellow in autumn.

Basics information about Solomon’s seal plant

The leaves: The slender arching stem of this plant has an alternating lance-shaped leaves that are either green or tipped with white.

The flowers: Small, tubular, white flowers swing beneath the leaves. This plant will bloom in mid-spring to early summer. Also the black seed pods that follow will persist into summer. More of the mature plants tend to have more profuse flowers and they are a bit showier. But it is the plant form rather than the flowers that make the plant such an interesting plant.

Hardiness zone: Solomon's seal plant is reliably perennial in United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Solomon's seal plants are easy growers. Another big plus is that the plant is deer resistant.

The plant mature size: The plant mature size varies among the different species and cultivars. There are some Solomon's seal plants that grow to about 1 to 2 feet tall. The width of the plant is really only the 3 to 5 inch leaf span, but since the stem arches up and over, the width is more like 1 to 3 feet. Also there is a giant Solomon's seal plant that tops out at about 5 feet tall and it really makes a statement in the garden.

The sun exposure: Solomon's seal plants are woodland plants. Make sure you give the plant a spot in partial shade. The plant can only take sun if the climate is cool and the soil is moist.

Garden design: This plant looks best when is allowed to naturalize in a woodland setting. Solomon's seal plants pairs well with many shade garden plants, like Dicentra (​bleeding heart), Epimedium (barrenwort), Brunnera (Siberian bugloss), ferns, hellebore, cranesbill geranium, ​ Heuchera (coral bells), and Tiarella (foamflower). All these plants mention has attractive and often colorful foliage, providing season-long interest. 

How to grow Solomon's seal plants

Solomon's seal plants are usually started by transplants or rhizomes. The seeds of the plant can take up to 2 years to sprout, so you will get some self-sowing in established plantings, however you will need a lot of patience to start the Solomon's seal plants from seed.

Furthermore, this plant likes rich organic soil with a soil pH in the acidic to the neutral zone. The plant needs some shade to truly thrive. Damp shade is even better for the plant, although once the plant is established, the plant is quite drought tolerant. The plants can also be started in the spring or fall. Plant only 1 to 2 inches deep and about 2 to 3 inches apart.

Solomon's seal plants care

The Solomon’s seal seldom needs division. Actually it takes some years before a clump is large enough to divide for propagation purposes. When it is ready, you can divide in early spring or fall and then leave several buds on each division, for the best success. The rhizomes can easily be divided even further, though it will take longer for them to become established. Another alternative is to remove and then plant just the offsets at the out edges of the clump.

This plant does not require deadheading. The flowers are too small and they will drop off naturally. The foliage remains good-looking all season, the Solomon’s seal plant is virtually maintenance-free. The stems can even disconnect from the rhizomes on their own, after frost. Although before that, the foliage will turn a nice golden yellow in fall.

Pest control: Any Solomon’s seal plants that are grown in good conditions seem to have few problems. But if the weather is extremely damp, you may likely see signs of powdery mildew or any fungal disease. Actually these should ameliorate as things dry out. Though a better air circulation will also help.​ Snails and slugs can likely become a problem in damper areas.