As the name hints, plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ has foliage of a light, uneven guacamole shade of green with somewhat darker edges. The leaves are glossy, medium-sized, with distinctive veining. The plant can spread to become 1.3 m wide over time. A sport of another Hosta cultivar called ‘Fragrant Bouquet’, plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ was bred by Robert M. Solberg and registered with the American Horticultural Society in 1994.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Noted for its highly fragrant flowers and leaf texture that improves with age, Hosta ‘Guacamole’ (Plantain Lily) adds drama in the shade garden. It forms an overlapping mound of slightly convex, widely oval, chartreuse-gold leaves, 11 in. long (27 cm), with irregular dark green margins. Glossy above and thinly glaucous below, the leaves are adorned with chartreuse streaks jetting towards their center. Huge funnel-shaped, fragrant white blooms appear in summer, rising on scapes 36 in. long (90 cm). A very eye-catching hosta for specimen planting, ‘Guacamole’ is also suitable for planting in mixed containers.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ can make full use of weak light and have excellent shade tolerance. Its varieties can be classified according to leaf color: yellow leaf group, variegate leaf group, green leaf group, and gray leaf group. Among these, the gray leaf group plants have the strongest shade tolerance, while the yellow leaf group plants have the weakest.
Ventilation, proper cooling, and increased air humidity help improve the utilization rate of light energy. In an environment that has sufficient sunlight, plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ will generally grow better, and the sunlight will affect their leaf color and pattern. However, expos
Temperature
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ likes warm weather but grows slowly in high temperatures, especially in summer. Its suitable growth temperature is 15 to 22 ℃. The hardiness of different varieties is significantly different. When the ambient temperature is lower than 0 ℃ in winter, it is best to move potted plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ inside, and move it back outside when temperatures rise the following spring.
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ likes a well-drained growth environment, and there is some difference in water resistance between different varieties. Varieties with thick leaves are more drought-tolerant, though still not adaptable to dry, bare, or windy places. Some of them are more resistant to moisture, but they are still not suitable for planting in standing water or excessive humidity.
Watering
Thriving in the understory of its native woodlands, plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ has adapted to conditions with moderate moisture and appreciates consistent humidity. This species exhibits a preference for evenly moist soil, avoiding extremes of drought or waterlogging. Watering every week will maintain its lush foliage and support its growth habit. Typically grown outdoors due to its ornamental leaves, plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ is an herbaceous perennial that benefits from rainwater during its active growing season, which aligns well with its water needs.
Soil
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ can grow in moist, well-drained, shady areas. It likes loose, air-permeable, sandy soil with rich humus. The suitable soil pH is about 6.5-7.5. Before planting, a small number of nutrients can be added to the soil, such as compost, leaf mold, pine needle mulch, organic fertilizer, or sphagnum moss. This will make plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ grow better.
Fertilizing
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ likes nutrient-rich soil. More fertilizer can make plant leaves thick and shiny, and encourage it to grow more flowers. As for plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ in a garden, fully decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied once generally in winter or the following spring after planting, and fertilizer rich in nitrogenous and phosphate should be added before germination and before and after blooming. More phosphate-potassium fertilizer should be added during the budding period, and fertilization should be stopped after the plant enters the productive period.
As for potted plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’, general liquid fertilizer is often applied during the growth period once a month, and the plant should be watered immediately after fertilizer application. Before blooming, a mixed solution of 0.1% urea and 0.2% monopotassium phosphate can also be sprayed on leaves 1-2 times to make the leaves green and luxuriant and encourage more flower growth.
Planting Instructions
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ can be planted in gardens or flowerpots. Planting generally takes place in spring or fall alongside plant division. Planting in mid-summer should be avoided due to high temperatures and dry soil. Before garden planting, the soil should be loosened completely and sufficient. Fully decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied as the base fertilizer before transplanting.
Use an appropriate planting depth, making sure that the roots aren’t exposed to the air and that no part of the rest of the plant is buried. The plant spacing is generally 20 to 30 cm and should be adjusted according to the plant size and greening requirements. Water it immediately after planting so that the soil makes full contact with the roots.
As for potting, use a flower pot with drainage holes and a diameter of 20 to 46 cm depending on the plant size. Garden soil, humus, sand, and the like can be mixed into the culture soil, and the soil should be disinfected with Carbendazim. About 2.5 cm from the soil to the top of the flowerpot should be reserved to prevent overflow while watering. The plant should be thoroughly watered immediately after planting and placed in a shady area. A layer of gravel can be placed on the soil surface. This is not only beautiful but also prevents the growth of weeds and water splashing, which will stain the leaves.
Pruning
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ does not require regular pruning; simply cut off any yellowing leaves during growth. If you are not planning to harvest the seeds, cut off the scapes after blooming to conserve energy for growing fruits. This will promote the growth of leaves and flowers thereafter, and improve the ornamental effect. Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ will wither at the end of fall, which is when it is best to cut off the above-ground part of the plant. The remaining underground part will generate new plants in the following year.
Propagation
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ is propagated most effectively through division. To achieve the best results, carefully separate the root ball into smaller clumps, ensuring each new section has a portion of the roots and leaves. This method promotes healthy growth and rejuvenates the plant by giving it more space. It’s a straightforward and reliable approach that also helps to maintain the unique characteristics of plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’. When dividing, use a sharp, clean tool to minimize damage and reduce the risk of disease.
Transplanting
For plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’, the pinnacle transplanting period spans from the refreshing zest of early spring to the tranquil cusp of late spring, as well as the reflective pause from late fall into the nascent chill of early winter. Select a shaded nook with moist, well-draining soil. Gentle guidance during transplant can foster robust growth, ensuring plantain lilies ‘Guacamole”s vibrancy.
III. Uses and Benefits
Plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ is perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The inflorescences of plantain lilies ‘Guacamole’ with stems or leaves can be harvested for appreciation. In summer, the plant can be harvested for fresh-cut flowers when the flower bud at the bottom of the inflorescence is milky white, fully inflated, and ready to bloom. Once grown to a sufficient size, the leaves can be harvested to decorate bouquets. It is best to harvest in the morning at low temperatures to reduce water loss.