Jacob's Ladder Care

Jacob's ladder plants that receive regular watering will bloom longer and remain attractive into summer. Water regularly to maintain medium moisture levels, but avoid soggy conditions. During dry periods, you may need to water more frequently to keep the plants lush.

In general, Jacob's ladder requires minimal maintenance. Once the flowers finish blooming, cut the flower stalks back to the plant's base to encourage repeat blooms. If the foliage starts to look tattered, it can also be cut back and cleaned up. New growth will replace the trimmed foliage.

Polemonium caeruleum is a long-lived perennial in the right conditions and if it is fed properly. Give the plants a boost in early spring with a dose of balanced fertilizer as the new growth is emerging. Feed them again once the faded flowers have been cut back.

Jacob's ladder plants prefer partial or dappled shade. Varieties with dark green leaves can handle more direct sun than the variegated varieties, so long as the soil is kept consistently moist.

Plant Jacob's ladder in loose, rich, well-draining soil that will remain moist but not wet. It is more fussy about moisture than about soil pH but does best with a relatively neutral or slightly acidic soil pH.

Jacob's ladder prefers a relatively cool summer climate, and it can succumb to high heat in warm southern gardens. Very humid conditions can bring on leaf spot fungal diseases or powdery mildew.

31 people already have this plant 6 people have added this plant to their wishlists