How to Grow and Care for Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing Solomon’s seal in your garden.

• Plant Solomon’s seal in partial or full shade.
• Use rich, slightly acidic soil for Solomon’s seal plants.
• Keep the soil around Solomon’s seal moist but not overly saturated.

Light

Solomon’s seal plants grow under large shade trees in dappled light. An ideal planting site in your garden will have partial to full shade. They can tolerate more sun when grown in cooler climates.

Soil

These plants like cool soil that’s rich in organic matter and has good drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (5.0 to 7.0) is ideal. Increase the richness of your soil by adding a layer of compost around your Solomon’s seal each year. Allowing leaf litter to decompose around the plants creates a rich, humusy environment the plants enjoy.

Water

Solomon’s seal plants prefer soil that remains evenly moist but not soggy. Water young plants regularly to maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Established plants prefer soil that is damp to the touch, though they can tolerate short periods of drought if necessary.

Temperature and Humidity

The various species of Solomon’s seal thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, though with some variation between species. While they prefer cool and shady environments with some humidity, Solomon’s seal can successfully grow in hot and dry climates with some help. Make sure the plants have ample soil moisture and shade, as well as protection from strong, hot winds. A layer of mulch around the plants can help to keep their roots cool and moist. In the fall, frost will cause the plants to die back to the roots for the winter.

Fertilizer 

Because this plant likes to grow in plenty of organic matter, mix some compost into the soil of your garden site when first planting Solomon’s seal to give it a good start. Then, continue to add organic fertilizer or compost each year at the start of the growing season to give your plant a boost, especially if you don’t have naturally fertile soil. No other artificial feeding is needed.

Types of Solomon’s Seal

There are more than 60 species within the Polygonatum genus, though a relatively small number are commonly cultivated for garden use. The species have very similar growing requirements but can vary in size, coloring, and other factors. Some popular varieties for garden applications include:

• • P. odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’: This species reaches around 1 to 3 feet tall, and its leaves have white edges. The white flowers have a sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilies. This is one of the most popular of all Solomon’s seals and is recommended as the best introduction for gardeners. It is native to Europe and Asia and hardy in zones 3 to 8. Other common cultivars of this species include: ‘Goldilocks’, with whitish streaking through the leaves; ‘Angel Wing’, which has wide white leaf margins; Byakko’, with white splotches near the leaf bases; ‘Double Stuff’, which has extra-wide margins; ‘Koryu’, with green leaves with a raised center ridge; and ‘Spiral Staircase’, with larger leaves and slightly twisted stems.
  • P. biflorum: Also known as smooth Solomon’s seal, this species is a North American native that grows roughly 1 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are smooth on both sides, and the plant features white-green flowers. It is a good choice for small gardens. It is hardy in zones 3 to 9. One variation, P. biflorum var. commutatum (giant Solomon’s seal), grows 6 12 feet tall and colonizes in large groups.
  • P. humile: This dwarf species grows just 6 to 9 inches tall. It has relatively large flowers for its size, but it is only hardy in zones 6 to 9. It is native to China and Japan.
  • Polygonatum ‘Prince Charming’: This cultivar grows to only about a foot tall, but spreads to around 2 to 3 feet. ‘Prince Charming’ blooms at a younger age than many other Solomon’s seal types and features greenish-white flowers. It is considered a natural hybrid between P. biflorum and P. humile.
  • P. multiflorum: This European species, ‘Variegatum’, is an excellent short selection (under 2 feet) with cream and green leaves on reddish stalks. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8.
  • P. odoratum thunbergi: This species is also known as fragrant Solomon’s seal or Japanese Solomon’s-seal, and is native to Japan. The plants grow 18 to 36 inches tall with reddish stems and have fragrant white flowers. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8. There are several cultivars of this species including ‘Fireworks’, ‘Flora Plenum’, ‘Lemon Seoul’, and ‘Variegatum’.

Propagating Solomon’s Seal

Like most plants that grow from spreading rhizomatous roots, Solomon’s seal is easy to propagate from rhizome divisions. However, the division of this plant is not necessary for its health. Growing Solomon’s seal from seed is rarely done because the process is difficult and it takes seedlings several years to mature and bloom. Here’s how to divide Solomon’s seal:

1. Dig up the parent plant in spring, as new growth emerges, or in fall. Use a sharp shovel or knife when slicing off sections of the plant’s rhizome.
2. Immediately replant these divisions horizontally a few inches deep in a garden location that has been prepared by amending with compost.
3. Water thoroughly upon planting, and then regularly until the new division is well established.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Healthy Solomon’s seal plants growing in optimal conditions have few problems with pests and diseases. Solomon’s seal is also prone to foliar nematodes, which usually reveal themselves as brownish streaks on the leaves. The same nematodes may affect hostas and ferns. The only remedy is promptly removing affected plant parts. Slugs and snails can also become a problem, so watch out for holes in the leaves and stems.

If the weather is extremely damp, you might see signs of a fungal disease, which can appear as discoloration on the foliage. Ensuring good air circulation around the plant can help to prevent and combat such issues.

How to Get Solomon’s Seal to Bloom

Bloom Months

Solomon’s seal blooms in late spring and early summer.

What Do Solomon’s Seal Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Solomon’s seal is planted for the architectural appeal of the leaf arrangement. It produces white bell-shaped flowers hanging from the stems. The flowers have a subtle sweet scent. In the fall after flowering, dark round berries will appear.

How to Encourage More Blooms

These plants are normally grown for their foliage. But, if lack of flowers is troubling to you, look to cultural problems, such as too much sun or the presence of pathogens such as foliar nematodes or fungal diseases.

Simple patience sometimes corrects a flowering problem. Recently divided or newly propagated plants can take quite some time before they become established and mature enough to bloom.

Common Problems With Solomon’s Seal

Largely trouble-free, Solomon’s seal is regarded as one of the easiest woodland perennials to grow. Here are a couple of signs to look for if the plant is in distress.

Leaves Turning Brown

In extreme heat or conditions that are too sunny, the plant’s leaves can turn brown and crispy. Make sure to water Solomon’s seal amply during the hot summer months, especially if the plant must tolerate some afternoon sun.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Older leaves may naturally turn yellow and this plant’s leaves turn lemon yellow for autumn. However, if this happens before the fall, it could mean the plant is overwatered or underwatered.

Leaves Are Dropping

Since Solomon’s seal’s leaves are the star of the show, it’s distressing to see the plant shedding leaves, but it’s likely from underwatering. Check the soil and water as necessary.