Hosta Plant Guide: How To Plant Hostas, 15 Types, Growing Zones, Care Tips

Image Credit: Richard Sidwell³⁵

The Hosta Plant, also known as the plantain lily or the Gibōshi, is known to be native to China and Japan.¹ It is a herbaceous perennial rhizome plant that is hardy enough to grow healthily in indirect sunlight exposure.

Originally, the plant was under the scientific genus classification of Hemerocallis (daylilies) and was then called “funkia”.³ Later, it was officially renamed the Hosta Plant to honor the memory of an Austrian botanist Nicolaus Thomas Host.

Although there is still debate about the correct genus and scientific genus classification of the Hosta Plant, it is now listed as part of the scientific family classification name Asparagaceae.⁴ This means it is now technically related to asparagus relative to its Far East botanical origins.

It is generally believed that about 45 different species of hostas, with over 10,000 cultivars, and counting, are currently in existence.

Some of these cultivars and species like direct sunlight, but almost all Hosta Plant species prefer shade to grow in. This is because direct sunlight exposure can cause the leaves to burn and become damaged.

There are miniature and gargantuan species of the Hosta Plant that exist as well.

Overall, hostas are highly prized for their leaf shapes, which can be pear, tear, heart, and lobe-shaped, cool-hued colors, shade-tolerance, and weed-suppressing qualities.

Hosta plants are also easy to plant, and take care of, and don’t require a green thumb to maintain long-term. It is a well-known weed-suppressing plant species that will enrich your lawn or landscape without being a maintenance headache to you.

How To Identify Hosta Plant (Plantain Lily)

A Hosta Plant grows out of the ground from horizontally growing stems called rhizomes.²

Rhizomes are plants where the stems, which are usually the vertically growing branches of a plant above the soil, grow underneath the soil.

Because of this rhizome root growth, the Hosta Plant congregates and grows in hedge-like clusters and this is how to identify Hosta plant.

So, Hosta Plants naturally look like aesthetically sophisticated rows of heart-shaped lettuce plants that you would find growing in the shade of a lawn or beside the shaded exterior wall of a home.

Hosta Leaves

Hosta plant leaves are relatively large and deciduous ovate-shaped leaves that can be heart, pear, tear, or spade-shaped. The tactile texture of the leaf can be veiny, smooth to the touch, or puckered. Smaller species of Hosta Plants can have leaves that are a few inches long while the few gargantuan species have leaves that can be a few feet long.

Hosta plant leaves can be colored in hues of blue, green, and sometimes even gold depending on the species. The center and edges of the leaves can be accented with hues of yellow, cream-white, gold, or white.

Hosta Flowers

Because most people tend to focus on the beautiful foliage of the hosta, some forget that this plant also produces stunning blooms.

In fact, the flowers of this plant are prized for their aesthetic beauty as much as the leaves are.

Hosta blooms are racemes and they start out growing on woody, upright, vertical scapes from the stem that stay on the plant through the winter months. They grow vertically taller than the hosta leaf mound, are bell-shaped, and with a scent that is mild to very fragrant.

Colors vary from lavender, blue, white, or pink flowers.

Because of these flowers that produce an abundance of nectar, the hosta is one of the plants that attract hummingbirds and different types of bees, making it a good pollinator.

The most noticeably fragrant species of the Hosta Plant is the Hosta plantaginea.

Hosta flowers bloom for several weeks depending on the species from May through September.

Hosta Seeds

Hosta plant seeds or Hosta seeds can be found in yellowed dried-up capsules within the color-faded buds of post-blossomed flowers. The seeds look like flattened, thin, and elongated raisins – the seeds can be either dark brown or black colored.

Hosta Varieties

Although most scientists hardly agree when it comes to plant classification specifics, it is believed that there are at least 45 distinct Hosta Plant species aside from the thousands of available cultivars and hybrid species.

Some Hosta Plant species varieties are more fragrant than others, manifest various colors, or vary in size.

15 Types of Hostas

Here are 15 types of hostas, with different types of flowers, that you can consider planting around your landscape according to your needs and lifestyle.

It should be noted that some of these hosta species are endemic to their native Asian climates and may only be available locally to you as hybridized or cultivar hosta species.

1. White Powder Hosta

(Hosta albofarinosa)

The hosta blooms from this variety are one of the many types of white flowers you can grow for their aesthetic appeal.

Hosta albofarinosa is a relatively new species of Hosta Plant that was only discovered in the Yellow Mountains of China in the early 1980s. It was allegedly found about 2,624 feet above sea level on steep mountain slopes with thinned-out soil top layers on a mountain range over 260 miles to the west of Nanking

Hosta albofarinosa has white powder covering its topside and bottom side leaves and has white flowers with purple striping. This plant is also one of the few Hosta Plant species that can survive growing in direct sunlight.

2. Purple Glory Hosta

(Hosta atropurpurea)

Also known as the Dark Flower Hosta, Hosta atropurpurea is a small to medium-sized Hosta Plant that blooms deeply purple-colored flowers.⁵

Even if the buds are purposefully pollinated they won’t open and flower.

The dark green-colored leaves have a pointed end and almost look like a lance or spear at the end of their stalk. Most species are average-sized but some larger species are a foot and a half tall with a canopy of up to 4 feet wide.

5. Small Hosta

(Hosta clavata)

Hosta clavata is a rather smaller-sized version of the common Hosta Plant. It has narrow-shaped green foliage with purple blossoming flowers. Some subspecies of this species have gold-colored leaves.⁸

It must be noted that this plant is a hermaphrodite and features male and female sex organs. This plant can thrive in partial shade or total shade.

6. Thick Leaf Hosta

(Hosta crassifolia)

Hosta crassifolia probably came about as a hybridized plant experiment that was released into the wild, but experts are not entirely sure.⁹ This hosta species has large-sized medium green colored leaves that are thicker than most hosta leaves. Its flowers are white-colored

7. Dense Hosta

(Hosta densa)

Hosta densa is a medium-sized Hosta Plant that is noted for its densely packed arrangement of blossoming pale purple flowers.¹⁰

8. White Backed Hosta

(Hosta hypoleuca)

Hosta hypoleuca, which is also known as the White Backed Hosta, is native to the eastern regions of Japan.¹¹ In its native Japan, the Hosta hypoleuca is a rare and protected species of Hosta that is known to only grow on south-facing gorges, cliffs, and canyon walls near rivers, streams, and waterfalls.

This plant is white-colored on its underside, hence its nickname. The white-colored leaf undersides reflect heat emanating from the ground away from the plant. The White Backed Hosta also autonomously grows more or less leaves on its stalks based on the local availability of water and the viability of its soil.

The Mountain Hosta grows to a height of less than a foot and has a canopy of about a foot and a half. The light-green colored and rippled leaves of this plant are oblong-shaped and blossom dark lavender-colored flowers.

This is a great hosta species to plant if you have limited landscape space to work with around your home or property. Its leaves are oval-shaped with curling edges and it blossoms purple flowers.

Its leaves are green-colored, ridged, and feature a white-colored bottom side. This hosta species is also relatively larger than other species – some species of Hosta plantaginea can grow to over 24 inches tall.

This species is also not known for doing well in cold weather.

This species grows blue and bluish-green leaves that blossom lilac-like white and lavender-colored flowers. This plant can grow three to four feet tall and just as wide.

It blossoms bell-shaped and purple-covered flowers. Hosta ventricosa is also the only hosta species that propagates itself via apomixis like common weeds – this plant can spread its seeds to clone itself and can’t be propagated via pollination and fertilization.

It is native to several small islands near South Korea and Japan. It may also be one of the oldest hosta species in existence; it may have originated sometime after the last global Ice Age.

Colorful Hosta Plants

If you are interested in Hosta Plants with striking foliage colors, there are thousands of colorful hostas you can buy.

Blue Hosta Cultivars

If you want Hosta Plants that grow various cool hues of blue-colored leaves only, then you should consider investing in some blue Hosta Plant cultivars like the Blue Angel, Blue Hawaii, Abiqua Drinking Gourd, Halcyon, Hosta sieboldiana, Fragrant Blue, or Blue Mouse Ear hosta cultivars.

Red Hosta Cultivars

There are many varieties of red, red and yellow, red and green, and even red and blue colored Hosta Plants.

Harvest Dandy, Red Rhubarb, Grand Slam, Red Dragon, Red October, Bloodline, Cherry Red, Fire Island, and Big Red are just some of the red Hosta Plant cultivars that you can buy.

Growing Zones for Hosta Plant: Where To Grow in the US (Hosta Plant Growing Zone)

Planting zones or Hosta plant growing zone are optimal areas where specific plant species can grow effectively relative to others.

To help gardeners and growers identify the exact types of plants they can grow in specific regions, the USDA has released a map that includes the climate conditions of different areas in the US. This is called the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map which can be perfectly used to determine growing zones for Hosta plant (where to grow).

Different hosta species can grow in different zones. But they are generally suited to chilly climates.

With that being said, Hosta Plants optimally grow in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3,4,5,6,7,8, and 9.

Hosta Plant Growth Rate

If you’re wondering how long it takes to grow Hosta Plant and the Hosta plant growth rate, the answer is that because they are perennials, they can take anywhere between 24 months and up to 7 years to mature depending on the species and climate they grow in.

They can grow about 8 inches per non-dormancy season until they reach maturity.

But how big do hostas get?

Well, some species of hosta can grow up to 36 inches tall, or more, and up to 6 feet wide.

How To Plant Hosta (Growing a Hosta Plant From a Seedling)

Growing a Hosta plant from a seedling or seed is quite challenging and a much more difficult process than propagating them from already mature plants or divisions.

Aside from being time-consuming, hosta seed propagation is less predictable than other methods. Some hosta varieties do not produce seeds at all, and if they do, the problem is that the offspring plant may look strikingly different from the parent.²¹ This is because seeds from hybrid plants usually take on the traits and features of one of their original genetic ancestors.

Hybridizers are mostly the only ones who use this method of propagation, which requires carefully selecting the parent plants, handling and storage of the pollen, making the cross, and producing the plants.

Hence, if you are an amateur gardener, you are better off planting a potted Hosta Plant or a bare-root Hosta Plant you purchased instead of trying to grow one from seed.

How To Plant Hosta Roots

Often referred to as division, planting hosta roots is the most common and viable way to propagate this plant.

This method is how you can keep special features, like variegation or color, of the specific Hosta Plant you’re trying to propagate.²²

Choosing the location is the first step when considering how to plant hosta roots. Since hostas thrive in filtered sunlight, you can pick a shaded to partially shaded site to grow your plant.

When digging the hole, make it slightly bigger than the root ball of the division. It should be deep enough so that the crown (where shoots meet the roots) of the hosta will be level with the surrounding soil.

(Image: Leonora (Ellie) Enking³²)

Next is to divide the parent hosta. These divisions will be roots with attached shoots. Begin by carefully unearthing the entire plant using a shovel or garden fork so as not to damage the roots.

Once the plant is out of the soil, you will finally see the natural divisions where the shoots emerge from the crown. Lightly divide these clumps into smaller divisions but make sure that each one has its own set of roots and shoots.

To enhance soil structure and provide more nutrients, mix in compost or well-rotted manure with the soil you removed. Go back to the hole you dug up and create a mound of soil mixture at the bottom to support the hosta division.

When you plant it, you can plant the root ball close enough to the soil surface where the top base of the root ball and its roots are somewhat exposed. Make sure to spread the roots out gently so they are not overcrowded.

Finally, gently pack in and firm up the soil around the roots of the plant as you go without compacting it too tightly.

Where To Plant Hostas?

You should plant hostas under a tree with dappled foliage or in an area where less than 4 hours of direct sunlight exposure will shine on the plants. Depending on the species, some Hosta Plants can thrive completely in the shade.

So, where to plant Hostas? Hosta plants are hardy plants that can grow in almost any soil condition; that being said, you should probably avoid planting them in clay soil. Clay soil holds too much water. Just make sure that you choose an area with well-draining soil.

When To Plant Hosta Bulbs

So, when to plant Hosta Bulbs? Spring is the best season to do this as it has the best conditions that will allow the plant to establish its root systems before the heat of the summer or the cold of the winter.

You could probably wait to plant them in the summer months, but the Hosta Plant will require a little more water for it to be able to do the same.

But can you plant hostas in the fall? You can, but it’s not quite as straightforward.

(Image: F. D. Richards³³)

Since hostas are deciduous perennials that will go dormant and suspend root growth in cold weather months, it is not advisable that you plant it in the ground during the fall. The only feasible way to plant a Hosta Plant during the fall is in a pot and grow it indoors.

Hosta Care (Planting Tips for Hosta Plant)

While hostas are some of the most undemanding greeneries out there, just like any living organism, they should still be given some proper TLC and some planting tips for Hosta plant and Hosta care.

Below are some Hosta Plant care tips and other essential information you need to know in order to successfully grow one on your own.

Watering Needs for Hosta Plant

You need to water newly planted Hosta Plants daily during the first 14 to 21 days after planting. After that, you just need to keep the soil moist, so you can water it once a week. During periods of hot weather, you may need to water them up to three times weekly. Watering needs for Hosta plant is indeed simple.

How Much Sunlight Does Hosta Plant Need Each Day?

On how much sunlight does Hosta Plant need each day, make sure that you know the species of hosta that you will plant before you plant it. Consult with a nursery staff or arborist to understand how much sunlight your Hosta Plant needs daily.

The typical Hosta Plant can survive in partial or full shade and only receive indirect sunlight to grow. Some other hosta species need at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure daily.

Watch for signs of sun scorching on the leaves of the plant as it grows. If you notice scorching on the plant’s leaves, then you can place it in full shade.

Sunlight reflects off of lighter colors near your plant, so it will survive off of ambient and indirect sunlight reaching it in the shade.

Keep in mind that partial shade and shaded area still means that such areas are surrounded by sunlight, even if it is indirect exposure. If you place your Hosta Plant in total darkness with no access to direct sunlight, it won’t grow.

Do Hosta Plants Need To be Divided?

It depends on how densely you want them to grow together. Hosta plants will grow in dense clusters and resemble low-lying hedges if you don’t divide them. You can divide them to improve aesthetics as they grow and prevent dense overcrowding.

(Image: MabelAmber³⁴)

As previously mentioned, Hosta Plant roots grow horizontally and intertwine. Dividing is just the process of digging up the plants, detangling the roots, and then replanting them with some space in between.

Best Growing Conditions for Hosta Plant

While not entirely necessary, you can add some organic fertilizer to your newly planted hostas to help them strengthen their roots. This will start the best-growing conditions for Hosta Plant.

It is also a great idea to add mulch to the soil to help your plants retain moisture between waterings and suppress weed proliferation and growth.

How To Stop Hosta Plant Disease (Hosta Disease Prevention)

The Hosta Plant is mostly disease-resistant. However, it can be afflicted by some fungal and root rot diseases and it’s important you how to stop Hosta plant disease.

For Hosta disease prevention, apply fungicide to your plants if you suspect they are affected by fungal diseases. The best way to prevent root rot is to make sure that you plant them in well-draining soil and never over-water them.

Common Pests of the Hosta Plant

The Hosta Plant is edible to humans and a delicious treat to many pests. Deer, rabbits, voles, rats, and mice eat hosta leaves and roots. Aside from that, other common pests of the Hosta Plant are Snails, slugs, aphids, cut weevils, black wine weevils, grasshoppers, and many other kinds of pests that love eating Hosta Plants.¹⁹ 

Natural Pest Control for Hosta Plant

Besides planting companion plants that repel certain pests and cutting away infected parts of the plant, you should consult an arborist or botanical extermination expert to rid your plants of pests.

Hosta Facts

Below are some of the Hosta facts:

• Over five species of the Hosta Plant are used for anti-inflammation and pain relief in Far East medicine practices.²⁰
• You can grow other outdoor perennial flowers as a companion to Hosta Plants like common sage, basil, potatoes, chives, ginger, hollyhock, strawberries, peppermint, blueberries, sweet potato, broccoli, and alfalfa are just a few examples of perennial plants that can be grown with the Hosta Plant
• Hosta leaves are edible to humans and can used as leafy green alternatives in food.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance and edible plant that grows in the shade and is aesthetically vibrant, then the Hosta Plant is a great choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hosta Plant