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 Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Clumping
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Blue, Purple
- Flower Description
- Light blue/lavender
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Mid-Summer
- Harvest Time
- 65-75 days after transplant
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous, Variegated
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Common Jacob's Ladder
- Also Known As
- Jacob's Ladder
- Botanical Name
- Polemonium reptans
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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, 2026 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.
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: 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!