Jacob's ladder ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (ladder to heaven)

Plant Jacob's ladder correctly

As a classic wild shrub, the Himmelsleiter favors autumn as the best time to plant. Alternatively, put the plant in the ground in April / May. While the nutrient-rich, moist soil is being finely crumbly prepared in the sunny location, soak the still potted root ball in a container with water. It continues as simple as this:

Dig small pits at a distance of 35-40 cm to mix the excavated material with compost and horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *)
Pot the young plant, insert in the middle and plant down to the lower pair of leaves
Press the soil on with your hands and water it generously

Care tips

The way to the heavenly abundance of flowers is neither rocky nor steep, because the care of a heavenly ladder is limited to the following aspects:

Never let the soil dry out and water it even in winter when it is freezing
Fertilize with compost every month from April to September
After the first flowering cut back to the basal leaves
Cut back close to the ground in autumn or late winter

Since the plant is frost-resistant to -45 degrees Celsius, no precautions need to be taken for wintering. However, we recommend moving to a light, frost-free winter area in pots.

Which location is suitable?

In the wild, the flower looks for a place in nutrient-rich meadows or along a light wooded edge. The closer the location in the garden comes to these conditions, the more effectively the plant shows its picturesque strengths. It depends on these properties:

Sunny to partially shaded location
Warm and sheltered from the wind
Humic, fresh-moist to moist soil

The correct planting distance

So that the herbaceous plant can perfectly showcase its pretty pinnate leaves and bright blue flowers, we recommend these planting distances:

Plant height 30-40 cm: Plant distance 35 cm
Plant height 60-80 cm: Plant distance 40 cm

If you cultivate the flower in the balcony box, the planting distance is reduced by 8-10 cm to create a lush appearance.

What soil does the plant need?

The mystical plant unfolds its summer bloom to perfection when the earth is made like this:

Nutrient-rich and humic
Moderately moist to well moist, but without waterlogging

In the pot and balcony box, the Himmelsleiter thrives wonderfully in structurally stable compost-based potting soil. Use a product with the lowest possible peat content, as this component tends to compact when watered frequently.

When is the flowering time?

The magnificent ladder to heaven does not stop at a single flowering period. Since the plant has the ability to be remounted, it delights us in May and June with a first bloom of flowers. Then cut the withered flower stalks back to the foliage and apply a little compost, followed by an equally abundant second flowering in September and October.

Cut Jacob's ladder correctly

Mother nature endowed the ladder to heaven with the potential for re-bloom. In order for the flower to actually achieve this floral masterpiece, a re-cut is required. After the first flower pile has wilted, cut off all the stems down to the basal leaves. Here you only remove leaves that no longer appear healthy and plump. In September and October the plant will delight you with a second bloom. Shortly before the first frost, cut the withered ladder to heaven close to the ground.

Pour Jacob's ladder

The water requirement of a ladder to heaven is at a high level. Thus, the root ball should never dry out inside. If the substrate surface dries, it is poured. During hot summer days, this may well be necessary twice a day. Always pour the water directly onto the root disc and avoid sprinkling. If there is clear frost in winter, water the plant on mild days.

Manure Jacob's ladder properly

A mineral-organic starter fertilization in March / April provides a noticeable boost for this year's growth. Then pamper the flower every 4 weeks with a portion of compost and horn shavings. A nutritious layer of mulch made from foliage soil or bark humus is also readily accepted by the plant.

Increase Jacob's ladder

The uncomplicated cultivation of a ladder to heaven continues seamlessly in terms of multiplication. The division of the rootstock in autumn not only creates more specimens, but also helps to rejuvenate this magnificent perennial. In addition, the ripe capsule fruits contain 1 to 12 seeds, which allow propagation by sowing. As a normal germinator, sow the seeds behind glass in February, put a plastic bag over the seed pot and keep the substrate slightly moist. After just 2 weeks, the first cotyledons peek out, from which vital young plants develop by May.

Is the Himmelsleiter hardy?

If the plant has been pruned in autumn, no further precautions need to be taken in the bed for overwintering. The flower is so frost-resistant that it doesn't even mind temperatures of - 45 degrees Celsius if it got that cold in our regions. In pot culture, however, there is a risk that the root ball will freeze through. Wrap the vessel in bubble wrap and place it on a styrofoam plate (€ 25.90 on Amazon *) or a block of wood. Small buckets with a diameter of less than 30 cm should ideally be placed in frost-free winter quarters.

Trivia

At the sight of this blue blooming flower, the association with a ladder to heaven is within reach. As it seems as if the stair-like arrangement of flowers and leaves invite passing angels to ascend into heaven, Christians see here a direct connection to the biblical ladder to heaven. In a dream vision Jacob saw this ascent and descent between heaven and earth when he was on the run from Esau. Thus, the title Jacob's ladder for the local shrub was obvious.

Nice varieties

Album: Native perennial with pure white flowers in spring and again in autumn; Height 60-80 cm
Königssee: Impresses with gentian blue flowers and compact growth, ideal for the tub; Growth height 40 cm
Purple Rain: purple-blooming ladder of heaven with light purple flowers; Growth height 30-40 cm
Stairway to Heaven: Premium variety with blue flowers and creamy yellow variegated leaves; Growth height 30-40 cm
Lambrook Mauve: Filigree beauty with pinnate leaves and lilac flowers; Height 50-60 cm