African Hosta
Description
The African Hosta is a native of Africa, but it is not technically a true hosta. The advantages of this plant over it’s more well-known namesake, is that it holds up to our hot, humid Southern climate. Where a hosta will melt into mush, this plant will stay fresh and crisp. Slugs and snails are not attracted to these as much as they are to hostas. During cold snaps, it will freeze to the ground, but when things warm up in the Spring, the fresh new leaves will have that mottled look that many find especially attractive. I always cover mine heavily with mulch when hard freezes threaten. This has the added advantage that when the plants leaf out again, they have the rich soil they prefer, but don’t require. Use as you would hostas in your garden
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: above (30 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Shade, Light Shade to Partial Shade
Bloom Color:
Inconspicuous small blooms colored from pale green or cream poised atop stalks
Bloom Time:
Blooms in the early Spring.
Foliage:
Fleshy, smaller hosta-like leaves which are mottled with green or maroon spots when new. The leaves become more evenly colored as they age
Other details:
Average water needs; Water regularly; do not overwater and prefers rich, amended soil
Propagation:
Divide rhizomes or tubers including any offset “babies.”