Hosta 'Guacamole' Plantain Lily
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking fragrant, sun-tolerant shade foliage.
The Hosta 'Guacamole' Plantain Lily is a striking perennial celebrated for its ornamental foliage. Its broad, heart-shaped leaves display chartreuse-gold centers with irregular dark green margins, offering good sun tolerance. Fragrant, pale lavender to white flowers bloom in late summer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This rapidly growing, herbaceous perennial forms an upright mound and is highly versatile for mass planting, borders, containers, or edging. It thrives in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil and is cold-hardy, making it a low-maintenance addition to any garden.
$26.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-2%
Below average
Genus
Hosta
/ Hosta
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a high-contrast focal point for shady areas
- Fragrance lovers wanting sweet-smelling blooms in the summer garden
- Busy gardeners needing pest-resistant plants that handle morning sun
Who should skip it
- Low-maintenance gardeners looking for drought-tolerant landscape options
- Deep-shade gardeners wanting vibrant, multi-toned foliage
- Small-space gardeners with limited room for sprawling perennials
Performance breakdown
Foliage Impact
Striking chartreuse-gold centers create a high-contrast focal point in shade.
Sun Tolerance
Handles more direct light than most varieties without scorching the leaves.
Fragrance Intensity
Rarely found in hostas, the sweet scent adds a sensory layer.
Growth Vigor
Establishes quickly to fill garden beds with lush, dense foliage.
Maintenance Ease
A reliable, low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention.
Pollinator Appeal
Late-season blooms provide a welcome nectar source for local butterflies.
Key Specs
Genus
Hosta
Variety
'Guacamole'
Item Form
Bareroot
Mature Height
1.5 feet
Mature Width
4 feet
Hardiness Zones
3 - 8
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Start
Late Summer
Features
- Dramatic chartreuse-gold foliage with dark green margins
- Highly fragrant pale lavender to white flowers
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
- Tolerates some direct sunlight
- Excellent for mass planting, edging, or containers
- Low maintenance and easy to grow
- Rapid growth rate
- Drought tolerant once established
What customers say
Customers consistently celebrate the exceptional quality of the Hosta 'Guacamole' upon delivery, noting plants arrive healthy and robust. The primary delight centers on its unique performance and design. Gardeners love the striking variegation, which matures beautifully, and frequently mention the unexpected bonus of highly fragrant white flowers. This hosta is valued for its reliable growth and ability to thrive, making it a standout specimen in shaded gardens.
Know before you buy
While most hostas prefer deep shade, 'Guacamole' is known for its superior sun tolerance. It thrives in partial shade and can handle more direct sunlight than many other varieties, though it will still perform best with some protection during the hottest part of the afternoon.
No, it is considered a low-maintenance perennial. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and requires only moderate watering and basic seasonal cleanup of spent foliage.
Since this variety reaches a mature width of 4 feet, you should space them at least 3 to 4 feet apart if you want them to form a continuous, overlapping groundcover mound.
Yes, unlike many hostas grown primarily for their foliage, 'Guacamole' produces notably fragrant, pale lavender to white flowers in late summer that are effective at attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.
Unfortunately, this variety is not deer resistant. If you live in an area with high deer activity, you may need to use protective netting or repellent sprays to keep them from grazing on the foliage.
Yes, its upright mound habit makes it an excellent choice for large containers. Just ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix to keep the roots healthy.
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$27