Asparagaceae
Solomon's Seal: how to grow Polygonatum in shade
Polygonatum
A very hardy, long-lived shade plant that asks for little once settled: partial to full shade, humus-rich soil that stays moist but drains well, and a yearly mulch of leaf mould or compost. Water regularly in the first season and during dry spells; established clumps tolerate some drought. It is slow to establish but spreads steadily. Watch for sawfly larvae and slugs in late spring and early summer, and cut the stems to the ground in late autumn.
Every 7 days
Low light
-30° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Solomon's Seal?
Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum) is a easy-care plant from the Asparagaceae family. Polygonatum, Solomon's seal, is a genus of about 63 species of rhizomatous woodland perennials in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with most species in Asia. In spring, unbranched stems rise from a creeping rhizome and arch gracefully, carrying two ro...
Solomon's Seal grows up to 1.5m, spread of 50cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Solomon's Seal tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Solomon's Seal?
TLDR: Solomon's Seal needs Low light, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -30-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Solomon's Seal?
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in the first year and in spring while the stems are growing: water deeply about once a week in dry weather. Established plants in the ground cope with short dry spells, but long drought makes the leaves scorch and yellow early. A mulch of leaves or compost helps keep moisture in. Avoid waterlogged soil, which can rot the rhizomes.
How Much Light Does Solomon's Seal Need?
Grow it in partial or full shade, ideally dappled light under trees or morning sun with afternoon shade. It tolerates sun only if the soil never dries out; hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves. It is an outdoor plant that needs a cold winter rest, so it is not suitable as a houseplant.
What Is the Best Soil for Solomon's Seal?
Plant in fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well drained, such as woodland soil improved with leaf mould or compost. It adapts to clay, loam, sand and chalk and to acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Plant the rhizomes horizontally, about 5-8 cm deep.
What Pot Should You Use for Solomon's Seal?
Usually grown in the ground. For containers, choose a wide, deep pot (at least 30-40 cm) with drainage holes to give the creeping rhizome room, filled with a moisture-retentive, humus-rich compost, and keep it in shade.
What Is Solomon's Seal and Where Does It Come From?
Polygonatum, Solomon's seal, is a genus of about 63 species of rhizomatous woodland perennials in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with most species in Asia. In spring, unbranched stems rise from a creeping rhizome and arch gracefully, carrying two rows of oval, parallel-veined leaves. From the leaf axils hang small, tubular, creamy-white flowers tipped with green, often lightly fragrant, in late spring and early summer, followed by blue-black (in some species red) berries in late summer. In gardens the most common are the garden Solomon's seal (P. x hybridum), P. multiflorum, P. odoratum, P. biflorum and variegated cultivars; they range from 20 cm dwarfs to clumps 1-1.5 m tall. The foliage turns yellow in autumn and dies back to the ground for winter.
How to Propagate Solomon's Seal?
Rhizome division
The young shoots are brittle, so handle the divisions carefully; a divided plant may take a year or two to look full again.
- 1 In early spring, as the buds break, or in autumn, lift the clump with a fork.
- 2 Cut the rhizome into sections, each with at least one growing bud and some roots.
- 3 Replant the pieces horizontally 5-8 cm deep in humus-rich soil.
- 4 Water in well and keep the soil moist while they re-establish.
Materials needed:
Sowing seed
The seeds have a double dormancy and need alternating warm and cold periods; wear gloves when handling the berries, which are toxic.
- 1 Collect ripe berries in late summer and clean the seeds from the pulp.
- 2 Sow them at once in pots of seed compost and cover lightly.
- 3 Leave the pots outside in a cold frame so they go through warm and cold periods.
- 4 Be patient: seedlings may appear only after one or two winters and take several years to flower.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Solomon's Seal Grow?
TLDR: Solomon's Seal can reach up to 1.5m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
1.5m
Spread
50cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Deciduous
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal Uses
- In traditional Chinese medicine the processed rhizome of P. sibiricum and related species (huang jing) and of P. odoratum (yu zhu) is used as a tonic; do not self-medicate, as the berries are toxic
Culinary Uses
- In China the rhizomes of some species are cooked or made into tea, flour and sweet preparations, and young shoots are eaten like asparagus in some regions; only after reliable identification, never the berries
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Solomon's Seal?
TLDR: Solomon's Seal is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on plant tissue, causing irregular holes in leaves and damage to young seedlings. They are most active at night and in moist conditions, leaving characteristic silvery slime trails. These pests can quickly devastate gardens, especially during wet seasons.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Grey Mould
Meaning & Symbolism
Seals and hidden marks: the name Solomon's seal is often explained by the round scars left on the rhizome by each year's stem, said to look like a royal seal or Hebrew letters; the Greek Polygonatum means "many knees", after the jointed rhizome.
Fun Facts
Polygonatum comes from the Greek for "many knees", after the jointed rhizome.
Each year's stem leaves a round scar on the rhizome, so you can roughly count a plant's age along it.
In China, Polygonatum rhizomes (huang jing, "yellow essence") have been eaten and used as a tonic for centuries.
In autumn the arching stems turn lemon yellow before dying back, and birds eat the blue-black berries.
Frequently asked questions
Does Solomon's seal need sun or shade?
Is Solomon's seal poisonous?
What is eating my Solomon's seal leaves?
How do I propagate Solomon's seal?
Should I cut back Solomon's seal?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
