How to Grow Jacob's Ladder

 

The Jacob’s ladder plant has 2 species that are usually found in the garden. The first species of Jacob’s ladder plant is Polemonium reptans which is native to the northeastern quadrant of the United States and is considered a threatened species in some other states. The environmental care of Jacob’s ladder plant includes discouraging gardeners from taking plants from the wild for transplant. Instead, you can try growing the Jacob’s ladder Polemonium caeruleum, this particular species is developed for garden, and they are rarely found growing in the wild.

 

Information about Jacob’s Ladder Plant  

Actually one of the best features of this plant is its foliage. The Jacob’s ladder plant forms a clump of densely packed leaf stems and each of them bearing tiny leaflets, almost fern-like in appearance, that rise along the stem like the ladder of the Biblical dream of Jacob. This ladder formation is actually known as pinnate. Each of the plant grows from one to three feet high with a spread of about 1 ½ to two feet wide. The loose clusters of flowers hang like bells from the long stems and come in pink, white, blue or yellow depending on the cultivar. Once they are established, growing the plants require very little maintenance except for occasional trimming. The Jacob’s ladder plants are actually an excellent addition to low maintenance garden.

  

How to Grow Jacob's Ladder

This particular plant is actually is a woodland perennial plant that prefers a shady to semi-shady spot for growing. The Jacob’s ladder plant leaves tend to scorch with too much heat or sun. The Jacob’s ladder plant grows best in soils that are very rich in organic materials and it likes a moist, but not soggy environment. Another good thing about this plant is that it tolerates drought once its root system is firmly entrenched. The Jacob’s ladder plant is also deer resistant and isn’t prone to disease or insect infestation. Nothing is easier than how to actually grow and plant the Jacob’s ladder. Once you have actually located a spot suitable to their needs, there are just 2 methods of propagation, which are either by seed or by plant division.   

 

Propagation by seeds: Cultivars will not always breed true from seed, but if you are not actually concerned with specific colors, seeds (either purchased or self-sown) can yield some interesting results. Sow the Jacob’s ladder tiny brown seeds directly into the soil in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Loosely cover the Jacob’s ladder plant seeds with a fine sprinkling of soil, then water gently and keep moist until the seedlings sprout. The Jacob’s ladder plant seeds will germinate quickly and should be thinned to about eighteen inches apart. You will get a fine showing of foliage the first year, although you may not see flowers until the second season.

Propagation by divisions: For the best results and care of the Jacob’s ladder plant, divisions need to be made in the early spring just immediately the new growth appears. Carefully dig the entire Jacob’s ladder plant from the ground and then separate the basal rosettes by tearing the roots apart, and replant each of the resulting Jacob’s ladder plants in its new spot. This is also a great time for you to replenish that area of the garden with a very rich, organic soil. You need to water your transplants very well and also keep the ground moist for a few weeks to actually give the plant’s roots time to settle into their new home.  

 

Jacob’s Ladder Plant Care  

The Jacob’s ladder plants require minimal maintenance. After blooming the plant can actually become leggy and need trimming. The Jacob’s ladder plants will re-bloom if the flower stems are cut back to the base. At times, most especially in older plants, the foliage can become brown and also tattered looking. You can easily trim out all unsightly foliage and the new growth will begin almost immediately. Trimming the Jacob’s ladder plants and also the occasional foliar feeding is all that’s really needed for the yearly care of the Jacob’s ladder plants in the garden.