Jacob’s ladder flourishes in bright shade with moist rich loamy soil. Plants tolerate sandy, acid and alkaline soils and some sun with vigilant watering. Plants will go dormant during drought. Not palatable to deer! When planted in ideal conditions with partial shade and moist soil, this species will often produce an abundance of seedlings.
This species is indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, stream and river banks, and wooded slopes, and are generally found in woods shaded by deciduous trees.