
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Jacob's Ladder, or Polemonium reptans, is part of the American Beauties Native Plants program. Attractive pink to violet-blue flowers appear in clusters at the end of the stems, with 1/2”, bell-shaped florets. Blooming begins in late spring and lasts for 2-3 weeks. A variety of native bees and many butterflies and pollinators enjoy the nectar from their violet-blue dainty flowers.
Jacob's Ladder grows well in Hardiness Zones 3-8, reaching 12-18 inches high and wide. This rhizomatous perennial spreads easily and is an excellent ground cover in woodland or shade-loving areas. The attractive, fresh green foliage is maintenance-free, unappealing to browsing deer, and valuable shelter for small animals.
Common Jacob’s Ladder Care
Jacob's Ladder thrives in bright shade; it is naturally found in rich woodlands among deciduous trees, near streams, and along wooded slopes. The soil must be well draining and rich in organic matter, such as garden compost.
Jacob's Ladder requires minimal maintenance. Cut the flower stems to the base of the plant after blooming to neaten the appearance and encourage blooming. If the foliage becomes dry or tattered looking, trim it back to the base of the plant, and new fresh growth will appear. Jacob's Ladder will benefit from application of a balanced, organic, water-soluble fertilizer in early spring to promote foliar growth and bloom.
Common Jacob’s Ladder Spacing
Jacob's Ladder spreads primarily from seeds after flowering and produces plenty of seedlings, particularly if located in a bright shady spot with moist soil. Space each plant at least 12 inches apart from a neighboring plant to allow for its full mature spread of 18 inches.
Image Courtesy of North Creek Nursery
Common Jacob's Ladder Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 12 - 18 Inches |
Mature Spread: 12 - 18 Inches |
Spacing: 12 - 18 Inches |
Habit: Mounded |
Flower Color(s): Blue |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous, Variegated |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Dark Green |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat |
Attracts: Bees |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Common Jacob's Ladder |
Other Name(s): Jacob's Ladder |
Scientific Name: Polemonium reptans |
- SKU:
- 1231012875-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!