Hosta
Hosta spp.
The ultimate shade garden workhorse, hostas provide lush foliage in countless colors, sizes, and patterns. From tiny miniatures to massive specimen plants, these perennials create stunning ground cover while producing fragrant spikes of white or purple flowers. Their incredible variety and reliability make them indispensable for transforming difficult shady areas into garden showcases.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
White-Tailed Deer
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
4-30 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hosta in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ground-cover →Zone Map
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Hosta · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet, 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Blazing Saddles', 'Blue Cadet', 'Blue Mammoth', 'Blue Mouse Ears', 'Blue Pillow', 'Bressingham Blue', 'Carolina Sunshine', 'Cathedral Windows', 'Cowlick', 'Empress Wu', 'Fire and Ice', 'Fire Island', 'Francee', 'Gold Standard', 'Guacamole', 'Halcyon', Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans', 'June', 'Kiwi Full Monty', 'Kiwi Spearmint', 'Marbled White', 'Mini Skirt', 'Minuteman', "Patriot", 'Red Dragon', 'Ripple Effect', 'School Mouse', 'Sum and Substance', 'Super Nova', 'Twist of Lime', 'Wrinkle in Time'. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are loculicidal capsules that dehisce at maturity. Each capsule contains many small black, flat, and winged seeds. The seeds may be elongated or triangular.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Hosta is typically an ornamental; however, in Korea and Japan, the leaves of some species are cooked and eaten.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heavy Shade, Salt
- +Attracts: shade, slightly salt-tolerant
- +Wildlife value: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to its flowers. Deer and rabbits are attracted to the leaves as a food source.
- +Edible: Hosta is typically an ornamental; however, in Korea and Japan, the leaves of some species are cooked and eaten.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Astilbe
Both thrive in shade and moist soil, complementary textures and bloom times
Heuchera
Similar growing conditions, colorful foliage complements hosta leaves year-round
Ferns
Natural woodland companions with similar shade and moisture requirements
Caladium
Both prefer shade and consistent moisture, colorful leaves create striking contrast
Begonia
Shade-loving with similar water needs, flowers add color above hosta foliage
Japanese Painted Fern
Silver fronds complement hosta leaves, both prefer partial to full shade
Lungwort
Early spring blooms before hostas emerge, similar shade and soil preferences
Impatiens
Thrives in shade with consistent moisture, provides continuous color
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes hosta leaves to yellow and plants to decline
Mint
Aggressive spreading can overwhelm hosta crowns and compete for nutrients
Crown Imperial
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients, can inhibit hosta growth in same area
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, some varieties prone to crown rot in wet conditions
Common Pests
Slugs, snails, deer, rabbits, foliar nematodes
Diseases
Crown rot, leaf spot, virus diseases