Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for slugs.
- Look for slime trails on the soil.
- Check if entire stems are missing.
Likely causes
Slugs and Snails
Most likelyHow to tell: Irregular holes in the leaves and shiny slime trails left behind.
What to do: Hand pick them off in the early morning or evening. You can also set out shallow dishes of beer or use iron phosphate bait.
Deer
PossibleHow to tell: Large chunks of the plant are missing, often including the stems.
What to do: Use a deer repellent spray or install a fence around your garden. Deer love Hostas and will return if they find them tasty.
Find out what's wrong with your plantain lily
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Minor damage is common and usually won't kill the plant. If the plant is being defoliated, you need to act quickly to save the crown.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around your Hostas clear of debris where slugs like to hide. Use slug bait early in the spring.
Plantain Lily: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your plantain lily and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are there slug resistant Hostas?
- Yes, varieties with thick, puckered, or blue leaves are often less attractive to slugs.
- Do I need to use pesticides?
- Usually not. Physical barriers and manual removal are often enough to manage the problem.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Plantain Lily
Back to the Plantain Lily guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.