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Hosta ‘Pandora’s Box’ (Plantain Lily)

Plantain Lily 'Pandora's Box', Pandora's Box Hosta

Hosta Pandora's Box, Variegated Plantain lily, Pandora's Box Hosta, Miniature Hosta, Plantain Lily Pandora's Box, Shade perennials, Plants for shade
Hosta Pandora's Box, Variegated Plantain lily, Pandora's Box Hosta, Miniature Hosta, Plantain Lily Pandora's Box, Shade perennials, Plants for shade

Incredibly tiny, Hosta ‘Pandora’s Box’ (Plantain Lily) is a miniature, clump-forming perennial forming a cute mound of thick, dark gray-green leaves with creamy-white irregular margins and transitional chartreuse streaks jetting toward the midrib. Racemes of bell-shaped lavender flowers appear on pink scapes reaching 10-12 in. (25-30 cm) in midsummer. Moderately fast-growing, this adorable miniature foliage plant makes a perfect addition to troughs, patio containers, and small gardens. Plant to cascade over a small rock for a charming effect.

  • Grows up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 5 in. wide (12 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
  • Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens or containers. Great for edging.
  • Watch for slugs and snails, which could damage the attractive foliage.
  • Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant’s growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Hosta, Plantain Lily
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spread 5" (13cm)
Spacing 5" (13cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Silver Bullet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Blueberry Muffin’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Queen Josephine’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Warwick Comet’ (Plantain Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)
Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’ (Lily Turf)
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgundy Lace’ (Painted Lady Fern)
Astilbe chinensis var. pumila (Dwarf Chinese Astilbe)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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30 Great Perennials for Shade
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Prevent Slugs and Snails from Feasting on your Hostas
Miniature and Very Small Hostas for Gardens and Containers
Pretty Hostas Tolerant of Sun
Striking Blue Hostas for Gardens and Containers
Hostas for Warmer Climates
Award-Winning Hostas
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Great Hostas as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Hosta, Plantain Lily
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spread 5" (13cm)
Spacing 5" (13cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hosta
Guides with
Hosta
Not sure which Hosta to pick?
Compare Now

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