Does it need full shade?

It prefers partial shade but handles more sun than most hostas if kept moist.

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is likely due to too much direct sun or poor drainage.

Plant guide

Fragrant plantain lily.

Hosta plantaginea

Pronounced HOS-tuh plan-tuh-JIN-ee-uh

Also known as August-lily, Corfu Lily, Fragrant plantain lily, Fragrant plantain lily, August lily, Scented hosta, fragrant plantain-lily, white plantain-lily

This lovely perennial is a garden favorite known for its lush foliage and beautiful, fragrant white flowers. It thrives in shaded spots where other plants might struggle. You'll love how it adds a touch of elegance to your garden beds.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal too much sun or poor drainage. Slugs and snails are common visitors, so keep an eye out for holes in the foliage.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage and spent flower stalks in late autumn after the first frost.
Repotting: Divide and repot your hosta every few years when it becomes overcrowded in its container.
Soil: Rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: -40 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long
Reduced vigor or smaller leaves

Safety

People: The plant is considered non-toxic to humans, though ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The large leaves can be a choking hazard if ingested, but the plant is generally safe for children to touch.
Edibility: While young shoots are sometimes eaten in Asian cuisine, they are not a standard food crop and should be avoided if you are unsure of identification.

How to identify it

Large heart shaped leaves
Prominent parallel leaf veins
Fragrant white trumpet flowers
Clumping growth habit

Height: 0.45 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.6 to 0.9m
Leaves: bright green, apple green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 10 to 15cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead foliage after the first hard frost. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the crown from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It grows well in large pots, provided they have good drainage and are kept consistently moist.

Division

1. Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Ensure each section has several eyes and healthy roots.
4. Replant immediately at the same depth as before.
5. Water thoroughly to settle the soil.

Plant with ferns and astilbes to create a lush, low-maintenance shade garden.

Grows well with

Ferns · They share similar moisture and shade requirements.
Astilbe · They provide a nice textural contrast to the broad hosta leaves.

Similar species

Hosta sieboldiana · It has larger, blue-green leaves but lacks the intense fragrance.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Hosta
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: China
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in moist, shaded woodland environments where it spreads via rhizomes.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths, hummingbirds
Uses: shade garden, fragrant border, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full shade?: It prefers partial shade but handles more sun than most hostas if kept moist.
Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is likely due to too much direct sun or poor drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Austrian botanist Nicolaus Thomas Host, while the species name refers to the plantain-like appearance of the leaves.

Good to know

It is often called the August lily.
The flowers open in the evening and close by the next morning.
It is native to China.
It is more sun-tolerant than many other hosta varieties.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.