Plantain lily
Hosta spp
An ornamental plant, planted March to May or September to November, or sown March to May.
In September: lift and divide the plantain lily. It can be planted now.
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Plantain lily, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown plantain lily. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Lift and divide the plantain lily. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Feed the plantain lily. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Deadhead the plantain lily. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Cut back the plantain lily. | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March to May, on the surface. Strong sources: RHS and Rare Plants (RP Seeds).
Plant a pot-grown plantain lily March to May, and September to November, 45 to 60cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Breck’s.
Plant a bare-root plantain lily, its buds level with the soil, 20 to 30cm apart. Moderate source: Farmer Gracy.
Lift and divide the plantain lily
Every 4 to 5 years, not every year.
Usually March to April, and September to November. Strong source: RHS.
Feed the plantain lily
Use a granular feed in spring or a liquid feed through the season, stopping after flowering.
Usually March to May. Moderate sources: Bowdens and Sienna Hosta.
Deadhead the plantain lily
Usually June to August. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Cut back the plantain lily
Cut down the dying leaves and old flower stalks so it is tidy for winter.
Usually November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Plantain lily” comes from.