Image: AI generated
Hosta Plant Plant Care
Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Asch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hosta plantaginea, the fragrant plantain lily or August lily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to southeast and south-central China, and a garden escapee in scattered locations worldwide. This species and cultivars and hybrids derived from it are the only fragrant hostas.
Every 3–7 days
Partial to full shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hosta Plant?
Water Hosta Plant every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Hosta Plant Native To?
What Is the Hosta Plant?
Hosta Plant (Hosta plantaginea) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Hosta genus. Hosta Plant is native to southeast and south-central China, and a garden escapee in scattered locations worldwide. Hosta Plant is also known as Plantain Lily, Fragrant Hosta, August Lily.
Hosta Plant displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Hosta Plant produces lavender, white, or purple bell-shaped flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hosta Plant?
Hosta plantaginea requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hosta Plant Need?
Hosta Plant thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Hosta Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hosta Plant Prefer?
Hosta plantaginea grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hosta Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hosta Plant?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Hosta Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hosta Plant?
Feed Hosta Plant every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hosta Plant?
Divide and repot every 3-5 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hosta Plant?
Hosta Plant can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue hosta plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hosta Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hosta Plant?
Hosta Plant is susceptible to slugs, snails, deer. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hosta Plant Need?
Hosta Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Hosta Plant is native to southeast and south-central China, and a garden escapee in scattered locations worldwide.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Hosta Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hosta genus — compare its care with other Hosta species on PlantoScan.
Hosta is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Hosta Plant copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Asch., family Asparagaceae (first published in Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 21: 53 (1863)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Hosta Plant as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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