Hosta 'Gold Standard' Plantain Lily
Best low-maintenance foliage choice for shaded garden borders and containers.
The Hosta 'Gold Standard' Plantain Lily is a dazzling herbaceous perennial celebrated for its ornamental, variegated foliage that brings elegance to any landscape. This variety features wide, seersuckered leaves with dark green margins, emerging chartreuse and maturing to a glorious golden yellow. Midsummer brings pale lavender, funnel-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. It maintains a dense, mounding habit, thriving in woodland settings or city containers. This resilient beauty prefers part shade to shade with rich, moist soil, though it shows good tolerance to dryness once established. It is a low-maintenance choice, perfect for borders or as a specimen plant.
$24.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1768
/ 2693
#1768 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-43%
Below average
SKU
43670
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast foliage for season-long visual interest
- Landscapers needing fast-growing plants for challenging shady areas
- Homeowners with morning-sun spots looking for vibrant golden colors
Who should skip it
- Gardeners unwilling to manage regular slug and snail pest control
- Shade-garden owners wanting maximum color intensity in deep, dark corners
- Low-maintenance enthusiasts who dislike seasonal plant cleanup and debris removal
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
The dramatic color shift from chartreuse to gold creates stunning contrast.
Maintenance Requirements
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention once established.
Shade Adaptability
Perfectly suited for woodland settings where other plants struggle to grow.
Texture and Form
Seersuckered leaves and a dense mounding habit provide excellent structural interest.
Environmental Resilience
Demonstrates impressive tolerance to urban pollution and occasional dry spells.
Pollinator Appeal
Lavender blooms provide a reliable midsummer nectar source for local hummingbirds.
Key Specs
SKU
43670
Genus
Hosta
Variety
'Gold Standard'
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
2 Feet
Mature Width
4 Feet
Light Requirements
Part Shade, Shade
Features
- Striking variegated foliage emerges chartreuse and matures to golden yellow with dark green margins
- Features seersuckered, slightly cupped leaves for added texture
- Produces pale lavender, funnel-shaped flowers in midsummer
- Dense, mounding habit ideal for borders or containers
- Tolerant of urban environments and air pollution
- Award-winning variety known for foliage interest
- Attracts hummingbirds
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Hosta 'Gold Standard' upon delivery. Reviewers frequently note the plants arrive healthy, robust, and well packaged, leading to reliable establishment in the garden. The striking color transformation and vigorous growth confirm this variety lives up to its name, offering excellent long term value for shade gardeners seeking dependable performance.
Know before you buy
Since the 'Gold Standard' Hosta reaches a mature width of 4 feet, you should space them at least 4 feet apart from center to center to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
No, the foliage evolves. The leaves emerge chartreuse in the spring and gradually transition to a vibrant golden yellow with dark green margins as the season progresses.
Yes, its dense, mounding habit makes it an excellent choice for large containers. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and is placed in a spot that receives part shade to shade.
This Hosta thrives in part shade to full shade. While it is resilient, too much direct afternoon sun can scorch the golden foliage, so a location with dappled light is ideal.
Yes, it is quite resilient. Once established, it shows good tolerance to dryness, though it performs best in rich, moist soil. It is also noted for its ability to handle urban environments and air pollution.
Yes, the pale lavender, funnel-shaped flowers that appear in midsummer are known to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$25