Hosta ‘So Sweet’ (Plantain Lily)

Hosta ‘So Sweet’ (Plantain Lily) – Fragrant Flowers and Creamy White-Edged Leaves

Hosta ‘So Sweet’ is a compact, fragrant hosta prized for its glossy medium-green leaves edged in creamy white and its scented summer flowers. Small enough for path edging and containers yet vigorous enough to form a polished clump, it is an excellent choice for woodland gardens and shady borders.

The lance-shaped leaves form a neat, slightly upright mound, typically reaching about 6-8 in. tall and 10-12 in. wide (15-20 cm × 25-30 cm). In mid- to late summer, pale purple buds open into fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers with subtle pale purple stripes.

Introduced by hosta breeder Kevin Vaughn and honored as the first Hosta of the Year in 1996, ‘So Sweet’ combines attractive variegation, fragrance, compact size, and dependable garden performance.

Quick Facts – Hosta ‘So Sweet’

Summary: Compact, vigorous variegated hosta with glossy green, lance-shaped leaves edged creamy white and fragrant summer flowers.
Use: Excellent for shade borders, woodland gardens, path edging, containers, groundcover, and underplanting shrubs.
Highlight: Fragrant white flowers with pale purple striping add a second season of interest after months of luminous foliage.
Note: Its small stature makes it especially useful at the front of shade borders.

Botanical Name	Hosta ‘So Sweet’
Family	Asparagaceae
Common Names	So Sweet hosta, Plantain Lily
Origin	Cultivar originated by Kevin Vaughn; registered in 1986
Plant Type and Habit	Herbaceous perennial; compact, vigorous, clump-forming, slightly upright
Hardiness (USDA)	Zones 3-8
Size	6-8 in. tall and 10-12 in. wide (15-20 cm × 25-30 cm); flower scapes rise to about 14 in. (35 cm)
Growth Rate	Vigorous; relatively fast-growing for a small hosta
Sun and Exposure	Partial shade to full shade; morning sun or dappled light is ideal
Soil	Fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained clay or loam; acidic to neutral soil
Bloom Time	Mid- to late summer
Flowers	Fragrant white flowers with pale purple stripes, opening from pale purple buds
Foliage	Glossy, lance-shaped medium-green leaves with narrow creamy white margins
Award	1996 Hosta of the Year
Wildlife Value	Flowers may attract hummingbirds and pollinating insects; foliage is attractive to deer and rabbits
Toxicity	Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested

Care – Quick

• Planting: Partial or dappled shade with fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
• Water: Keep the root zone consistently moist during active growth.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in spring; fertilize only where fertility is poor.
• Mulching: Apply organic mulch while keeping it away from the crown.
• Division: Divide in early spring or late summer.
• Best use: Grow near paths or seating where the variegation and fragrance can be appreciated.

What Is Hosta ‘So Sweet’?

Description and Origin

‘So Sweet’ is a compact variegated hosta introduced by Kevin Vaughn and registered in 1986. It became widely known in 1996 when it was named the first Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association.

Its appeal lies in the combination of small size, vigorous growth, glossy variegated foliage, and fragrant flowers – qualities that make it useful in both collector gardens and everyday shade landscapes.

Growth Habit and Mature Size

‘So Sweet’ forms a neat, slightly upright mound about 6-8 in. tall and 10-12 in. wide (15-20 cm × 25-30 cm), with flower scapes rising to around 14 in. (35 cm). Its modest footprint makes it particularly useful at the front of borders, along shaded paths, and in containers.

Leaves and Variegation

The glossy, lance-shaped medium-green leaves are edged with narrow creamy white margins. Their relatively fine texture gives ‘So Sweet’ a lighter appearance than broad, heavily corrugated hostas and helps brighten darker planting areas.

Flowers and Fragrance

In mid- to late summer, pale purple buds rise above the foliage and open into fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers with delicate pale purple stripes. Fragrance is one of the cultivar’s defining characteristics and gives it more seasonal interest than a foliage-only hosta.

Hardiness and Seasonal Cycle

‘So Sweet’ is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. It dies back after frost, remains dormant underground during winter, and re-emerges from the crown in spring.

Uses in the Landscape

• Front of shade borders: Adds crisp variegation without hiding neighboring plants.
• Woodland gardens: Works well beneath open-canopied trees and shrubs.
• Path edging: Keeps the foliage and fragrant flowers close to view.
• Containers: Its compact habit suits shaded patios and small gardens.
• Groundcover: Repeat several plants for a low green-and-cream planting.
• Small spaces: A good alternative where larger hostas would become overwhelming.

Wildlife and Pollinator Value

The summer flowers may be visited by hummingbirds and pollinating insects, although hostas are primarily foliage plants rather than major pollinator resources.

Deer and Rabbits

Hostas are highly palatable to deer and rabbits. Protect ‘So Sweet’ with fencing, repellents, or other controls where browsing pressure is high.

Drought Tolerance

‘So Sweet’ is not drought tolerant. Repeated moisture stress can reduce leaf size, brown the margins, and weaken the clump. Consistent soil moisture produces the best foliage.

Toxicity

Hostas are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. Place plants out of reach of pets that routinely chew ornamental foliage.

Invasiveness

‘So Sweet’ is a clump-forming perennial and is not regarded as invasive. Its vigorous growth refers to good establishment rather than aggressive spreading.

Growing Conditions for Hosta ‘So Sweet’

Light

Partial shade is ideal. Morning sun, high filtered shade, or dappled woodland light supports good growth and flowering while protecting the creamy margins from excessive heat.

Strong afternoon sun can scorch pale leaf tissue, especially where the soil dries quickly. For more guidance, see Can Hostas Grow in Sun? How Much Sun Is Too Much?.

Soil

Grow ‘So Sweet’ in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Clay and loam are suitable where drainage is good, with acidic to neutral conditions preferred.

Water

Water deeply enough to maintain consistent root-zone moisture, especially during establishment and hot weather. Plants growing beneath trees may need supplemental irrigation because tree roots compete strongly for moisture.

Feeding

Top-dress with compost or leaf mold in spring. Where soil fertility is poor, use a balanced fertilizer according to label directions rather than encouraging excessive soft growth.

Planting, Maintenance, and Propagation

Planting Tips

Plant the crown approximately at soil level in prepared soil, water thoroughly, and mulch to conserve moisture. Keep mulch away from the crown.

For detailed cultural guidance, see How to Grow Hostas: Planting, Care & Problems.

Maintenance

Remove badly damaged leaves as needed and cut spent flower scapes after blooming if desired. After frost, remove collapsed foliage to reduce hiding places for slugs and leave the bed clean for spring.

Propagation

Propagate ‘So Sweet’ by division in early spring or late summer. Division preserves the cultivar’s size, foliage pattern, fragrance, and growth habit; seedlings will not reliably come true.

Problems and Pests

‘So Sweet’ is vigorous and easy to grow when its light, moisture, and drainage needs are met, but it is susceptible to common hosta problems.

• Slugs and snails: Chew irregular holes in foliage, particularly during damp weather.
• Deer and rabbits: May rapidly remove entire leaves and can severely damage hosta clumps.
• Foliar nematodes: Can cause yellow to brown streaks, bands, or patches confined between major leaf veins.
• Leaf spots: Fungal diseases such as anthracnose can cause tan or brown lesions, particularly during warm, wet conditions.
• Crown rot: Risk increases in poorly drained or persistently wet soil and may cause crown decay and collapsing foliage.
• Hosta Virus X: May cause abnormal mottling, color bleeding along veins, puckering, ringspots, or distorted foliage. Infected plants cannot be cured and should not be divided or shared.
• Sun scorch: Causes bleached areas or crispy brown margins when excessive sun, heat, drought, or reflected heat stresses the foliage.

Design Ideas and Companion Plants with Hosta ‘So Sweet’

The best companions share its Zones 3-8 hardiness, preference for partial shade or shade, and compatible moisture needs while providing contrasting foliage or height.

• Silver foliage contrast: Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ – silver leaves and blue spring flowers contrast beautifully with the glossy green-and-white hosta foliage.
• Fine fern texture: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum – finely divided silver-green fronds add light texture in moist shade.
• Graceful woodland height: Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ – arching stems rise above ‘So Sweet’, while creamy leaf markings echo its pale margins.
• Flowering ground layer: Tiarella cordifolia – airy spring flowers and heart-shaped foliage add seasonal contrast.
• Fine-textured edging: Carex pensylvanica – arching narrow foliage softens the edge of the planting and suits partial to full shade.

Explore more combinations in Gardenia’s Best Hosta Companion Plants for Beautiful Shade Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

Royal Horticultural Society – Hosta ‘So Sweet’: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/55302/hosta-so-sweet-v/details

Missouri Botanical Garden – Hosta ‘So Sweet’: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a500

Chicago Botanic Garden – Hosta ‘So Sweet’: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/hosta-so-sweet-so-sweet-hosta

Ball Seed – Perennial Catalog: https://www.ballseed.com/pdf/catalogs/Unex_BallSeed_Perennial_Catalog_2025.pdf

Gardenia – How to Grow Hostas: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/how-to-grow-hostas-planting-care-problems

Gardenia – Hosta Companion Plants: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/companion-plants-for-your-hostas

Updated: September 2026 • Reviewed by Gardenia Editors