How to Plant and Grow Jack in the Pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is a spring ephemeral. It blooms, then disappears for the summer. The intricate, cuplike, purple-striped flowers of this native perennial have a hooded top (a spathe) in earthy colors like green, cream, burgundy, and brown. From the center of the cup, a pollen-bearing spike peeks out, resembling a person standing in a pulpit. As the flowers fade, the plant produces a cluster of red berries mid to late summer. These berries become more visible as the spathe withers and shrinks, adding a late dash of color to the shade garden.

The plant is toxic to humans and pets.

Where to Plant Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Select a planting site in partial to full shade with moist soil that is slightly acidic. The plant doesn't require a well-drained location as many other plants do, making it a wonderful option for wet, boggy areas of your garden. In suitable conditions in a shade or woodland garden, Jack-in-the-pulpit naturalizes and forms small clusters. For the best effect, plant it in a grouping.

During the midsummer dormancy, fill in with impatiens or other shade-tolerant annuals if you do not want to leave the soil bare.

How and When to Plant Jack-in-the-Pulpit

There are two planting windows for Jack-in-the-pulpit, in early fall or early spring. Early fall planting while the weather is still warm has the advantage that the plant gets a stronger start in the spring whereas spring planting gives it time to develop roots before the summer dormancy.

Nurseries often sell the corms bare-root. To plant, dig a 6-inch deep hole and place the corm as you would a crocus or other small bulbs, root side down. Fill the hole with original soil.

Space the plants 6 inches apart for a dense grouping and up to 12 inches apart for accent plants. Keep it well-watered after planting.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Care Tips

Providing conditions that mimic the plant’s natural habitat—rich, consistently moist, deciduous woodland—can make growing Jack-in-the-pulpit challenging. If you have a suitable location, the actual care for the plant is minimal.

Light

Jack-in-the-pulpit is a shade plant that needs part to full shade.

Soil and Water

This native plant thrives in damp, acidic, and rich humus forest floors in eastern North America. To create this habitat for Jack-in-the-pulpit in your garden, amend the soil with compost and an acidic fertilizer if needed. The soil should have a pH between 5.0 and 6.0, Do a soil test before acidifying the soil.

Temperature and Humidity

The plant is winter-hardy down to Zone 4. For winter protection, cover the plants with a thick layer of leaves. Jack-in-the-pulpit needs damp, humid conditions and will do poorly in hot, dry climates.

Fertilizer

If it's planted in humus-rich soil, the plant and organic matter in the form of a leaf cover is added every fall, there is not need to fertilize Jack-in-the-pulpit. If the soil lacks nutrients, use a fertilizer for acid-loving plants such as azaleas and hydrangeas.

Pruning

Once they have bloomed and stored enough energy for next year, the foliage dies back. Don’t cut the dead foliage back but let it disintegrate naturally.

Potting and Repotting Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is not suitable for growing in containers because the soil dries out rapidly and also heats up in the summer, which is detrimental to the plant.

Pests and Problems

Slugs are the main problem. To prevent them from damaging Jack-in-the-pulpit, place a small bowl or container filled with a few inches of beer near the plants. The slugs can't resist the smell, crawl into the container, and drown. Slugs like to spend their days under leaves and other plant debris, where it's nice and moist. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth, eggshells, grit, sand, gravel, and pine needles creates barriers slugs don't want to crawl over to reach your Jack-in-the-pulpit plants, too.

How to Propagate Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Over time, the plant forms small offsets of the corms (cormlets) on its roots. Using these cormlets is the easiest and fastest way to propagate Jack-in-the-pulpit (if started from seed, it takes five years until the plant starts to flower). After the plants have entered dormancy in the fall, dig up the entire root clump with a shovel. Gently break off the cormlets, leaving them intact, and replant them in a suitable location, Water them well and cover them with a thick layer of leaves.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Companion Plants

Woodland Phlox

Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), also known as wild sweet William, is a native wildflower that produces loose clusters of fragrant, lavender-purple flowers in the spring. Unlike its sun-loving cousins, it flourishes in partially shaded garden sites. It grows 1 foot tall. Zones 4-8

Solomon's Seal

With its arching stems, Solomon's seal (Polygonatum spp.) adds an architectural component to shaded garden beds. In the spring, the stems are lined with small, bell-shaped, white blooms. It's fairly easy to grow Solomon's seal if it's planted in rich soil with plenty of organic matter, lots of moisture, and a shady spot. Once they're established, they're able to survive short droughts fairly well. Zone 3-9

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger, which is not related to culinary ginger, is a low-growing plant that thrives in moist, shady places. Asarum canadense, a North American species of wild ginger, does not only have a higher heat tolerance than European wild ginger species; as a native plant, it is also better fitted to meet the needs of North American ecosystems. Zone 3-8