The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word HOSTA
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
H
O
S
T
A
More clues leading to the result HOSTA
- Provide a place for a plant
- Measure of area surrounding east German plant
- Pack a garden plant
- Landlord, one that’s found in bed
- Perennial landlord, absent
- Present a plant
- Many people trampling a plant
- One receiving guests with a plant
- Plant area by home for a parasite
- House on street with a perennial plant
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "plant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case plant = hosta.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HOSTA mean?
HOSTA noun- Any of several herbaceous Asiatic plants of the genus Hosta.