Plant · GBIF taxon 2771287
Scented Hosta
Hosta plantagineaAlso known as Fragrant Plantain Lily, August Lily, Fragrant Hosta
Scented hosta features glossy, bright apple-green leaves that form broad mounds in shaded forest understories and gardens. Unlike nearly all other hostas, its large white trumpet flowers open late in the afternoon, releasing an intense sweet fragrance reminiscent of jasmine and orange blossoms. Native to southern China, this night-blooming perennial serves as the primary genetic source for all fragrant hosta hybrids cultivated today.
FragrantShade TolerantFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- White-tailed Deer
- Slugs and Snails
- Voles
ThreatsHabitat loss in wild native range, deer and slug herbivory in cultivation
HabitatsShaded mountain forest floors, stream margins, woodland gardens
Life span20–30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusHosta
- SpeciesHosta plantaginea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Foliage contains saponins toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; safe to observe.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains saponins that cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs and cats.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for broad glossy lime-green leaves and large pure white evening-blooming trumpet flowers.
- What to do
- Grow out of reach of household pets that like to chew on garden foliage.
Responsible observation
- Scent Check: Smell the blooms in early evening or overnight when fragrance production peaks.
- Shade Care: Provide morning sun or dappled shade to keep foliage bright without scorching leaf edges.
Pollinator Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Mussita · cc-by
Close Relative (c) User:Vmenkov, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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