Hosta lancifolia, commonly known as Narrowleaf Plantain Lily, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the forest margins, open woodlands, and grassy slopes of East Asia, including regions of China, Japan, and the Russian Far East. It typically grows to a height of 0.8-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters) and spreads 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters), forming a clump of lance-shaped, glossy green leaves. The plant produces slender spikes of bell-shaped, purple flowers in late summer to early fall, which are moderately showy and attract pollinators.

The Narrowleaf Plantain Lily is valued for its lush foliage and low maintenance requirements, making it a popular choice for shaded garden areas, borders, and ground cover. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and benefits from a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture. While it prefers part shade to full shade, it can tolerate morning sun if kept sufficiently moist. Hosta lancifolia is generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to slugs and snails. It is also deer-resistant, which is a notable benefit in areas with high deer populations.CC BY-SA 4.0