Plantain Lily Hosta plantaginea

The name Hosta, honors an Austrian botanist Nicholas Host.  Plantain lily is an herbaceous perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family, native to China. It grows in clumps from 1 to 3 feet high and wide.  

Plantain lily thrives in sites with deep to partial shade and moist soils with good drainage and high organic matter.  Locations with full sun can be a planting site in cooler climates, providing proper moisture is maintained.  

Maintenance should include removing discolored leaves at ground level.  After blooming has occurred, cut the stems off to encourage new plant growth.

It is considered to have the best flowers in the Hosta genus due to their showy appearance, fragrance, and use as a cut flower. The flowers attract hummingbirds and the plants are slightly salt tolerant. 

As well as its flowers being the most fragrant of the Hosta varieties, they are also among the largest, up 3 to 4" long.  These showy trumpet shaped blooms open in the evening, showing off their waxy white blooms.  

Plantain lily is an excellent plant for locations such as walkways, slopes, banks, and small spaces. Plant it in mass in perennial beds or naturalized areas, as a border or edging, or in pond, rock, pollinator, or shade gardens. 

Propagation is done by division in either the spring or fall, however, the take is easiest in the early part of the spring prior to the unfurling of the foliage.  

Its dense habit can help to keep weeds at bay.  

Quick ID Hints:

• Acaulescent herb with parallel-veined leaves
• Petioles sheathing, sulcate, subpeltate
• Inflorescence scapose raceme, leafy-bracteate
• Corollas tubular abruptly bell-shaped apically

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for snails, slugs, and nematodes. Deer enjoy the foliage. Leaf spot and crown rot rarely occur. Plants may become infected with the Hosta Virus X, tobacco rattle virus, or tomato ring spot virus. If any of these are detected, the plant should be removed and destroyed. Voles may destroy the plant by eating the roots. Hail storms may damage exposed leaves.

All parts of this plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.