Plantain lily
Hosta sieboldiana
Plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–30 in tall and 24–48 in wide, needs medium to high water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Big leaves shred in hail and scorch in any direct sun. Deer love them. Site only in deep shade with reliable moisture.
On the CSU listmedium to high water12–30 in tall and 24–48 in wideToxic to dogs
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Hosta sieboldiana
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Elegans', 'Frances Williams', 'Sum and Substance'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 12–30 in tall and 24–48 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~34–48 in apart
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Bare in winter
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white, purple
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations, Dry shade under conifers
Things to know before you plant
- Toxic to dogsConsidered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Using Plantain lily as a groundcover
Plantain lily grows in tidy clumps. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It dies back in winter, leaving the ground bare until spring.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Plantain lily good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Plantain lily is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Plantain lily?
- The main things to know: Considered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet.
- How big does Plantain lily get?
- It matures to about 12–30 in tall and 24–48 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Plantain lily?
- Space Plantain lily about 34 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 48 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Plantain lily hardy on the Front Range?
- Plantain lily is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Plantain lily need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- Is Plantain lily safe for dogs?
- No. Plantain lily is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Plantain lily deer-resistant?
- No. Plantain lily is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Plantain lily a good firewise plant near the house?
- Plantain lily is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Plantain lily?
- Plantain lily isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Plantain lily spread or stay put?
- Plantain lily is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Plantain lily stay green in winter?
- No, Plantain lily dies back in winter and leaves the ground bare until it returns in spring.
