Hosta
Also called Plantain lily, Funkia.
| Light | part shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 4 days in the growing season, every 30 in winter |
| Pets | Cats toxic, dogs toxic |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Plantain Lily entry.
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. The ASPCA entry is for Hosta plantaginea, a close relative, listed as toxic to cats, dogs and horses through saponins, with vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Treat garden hostas the same way. Keep it where an animal that eats houseplants cannot reach it, and speak to a vet if one does. In South Africa telephone the Poison Information Helpline on 0861 555 777; in the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
A hosta is a shade plant that earns its place on leaf alone, and the whole art of growing one is water. They come from damp Japanese hillsides, they make their entire year of growth in a few spring weeks, and a dry fortnight at that point sets the size of every leaf until autumn. Plant them at almost any time of year except high summer, and divide large clumps in autumn or early spring, which is when the crowns are dormant enough to be chopped with a spade. In South Africa the hardy perennials go in through the winter, when the roots settle before the spring flush. Give them deep soil, a compost mulch, and a slug patrol in the first weeks after the shoots appear, and they will outlive most of the garden.
Ailments observed
| Holes chewed in the leaves | Slugs and snails, which feed at night and shelter under the leaves by day. Clear the mulch back from the crown, water in the morning rather than the evening, and lift pots onto feet. A torch at ten at night finds the culprits. |
|---|---|
| Brown crisp edges on the leaves | Dry soil, or sun on a variety bred for shade. Soak the root area and mulch it. If the same plant scorches every year, move it in autumn to somewhere with morning sun only. |
Filed underPlants that forgive a beginner
Neighbouring entries
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