Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Hosta Species

Hosta Sp.

Design with this plant

Overview

Hosta sp., commonly known as hostas or plantain lilies, are herbaceous perennials prized for their lush foliage which varies from vibrant green to gold, often featuring striking variegation. These shade-loving plants typically range from 6 to 48 inches in height and can spread up to 60 inches wide. Utilizing their diverse leaf shapes and textures, they excel in providing ground cover and contrast in shade gardens or woodland settings. Hardy and low maintenance, they thrive in USDA zones 3–9.

Sun Deep Shade, Half, ShadeWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 3–9Type Ground cover, PerennialClimate Temperate
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Mature hostas can range from a modest 6 inches to an impressive 4 feet in height
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Utilizing their diverse leaf shapes and textures; they excel in providing ground cover and contrast in shade gardens or, image 57Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — with a spread that may extend from 1 to 6 feetHosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — purple flowers in the gardenHosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — preferring dappled to full shadeHosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Mature hostas can range from a modest 6 inches to an impressive 4 feet in height; a hosta will thrive in USDA Hardiness, image 65Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — commonly known as hostas or plantain lilies; these shade-loving plants typically range from 6 to 48 inches in height, image 53+58

Culture

Sun
Deep Shade, Half, Shade
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature height
2–3 Ft.
Mature width
2–4 Ft.

Classification

Type
Ground cover, Perennial
Family
Liliaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (65)

Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Mature hostas can range from a modest 6 inches to an impressive 4 feet in height
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Utilizing their diverse leaf shapes and textures; they excel in providing ground cover and contrast in shade gardens or, image 57
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — with a spread that may extend from 1 to 6 feet
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — purple flowers in the garden
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — preferring dappled to full shade
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Mature hostas can range from a modest 6 inches to an impressive 4 feet in height; a hosta will thrive in USDA Hardiness, image 65
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — commonly known as hostas or plantain lilies; these shade-loving plants typically range from 6 to 48 inches in height, image 53
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — with a spread that may extend from 1 to 6 feet; hostas send up spikes of bell-shaped flowers
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — with leaves that may be solid or variegated in shades of green
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Hardy and low maintenance, they thrive in USDA zones 3‚Äì9; they should be watered regularly, especially during dry, image 59
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — are indispensable perennials for shading gardens with their lush foliage and graceful blooms; commonly known as hostas, image 60
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — a hosta will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; providing extensive ground cover.<br><br>Their foliage is, image 62
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — These shade-loving plants typically range from 6 to 48 inches in height and can spread up to 60 inches wide; ground, image 56
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — ground cover / perennial for deep shade or half or shade; hostas are an excellent choice for both novice gardeners and seasoned
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — providing extensive ground cover.<br><br>Their foliage is their claim to fame
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Hardy and low maintenance, they thrive in USDA zones 3‚Äì9; they should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells, but
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — a hosta will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — plant hostas about 1 to 3 feet apart depending on the variety's size at maturity
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — a hosta will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9; providing extensive ground cover.<br><br>Their foliage is their claim to
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — purple flowers in the garden; boasting a remarkable diversity in leaf color
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — often featuring striking variegation; which can range in color from white to lavender.<br><br>For optimal growth
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Boasting a remarkable diversity in leaf color; are indispensable perennials for shading gardens with their lush foliage and
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — Boasting a remarkable diversity in leaf color
Hosta Species (Hosta Sp.) — which can range in color from white to lavender.<br><br>For optimal growth
Photographs by 19 contributors

Related plants

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta (Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd') — resembling a drinking gourd

Ground cover

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–9
'Above the Clouds' Hosta (Hosta hybrid) — The Hosta hybrid 'Above the Clouds' is a large mounded perennial with cloudy blue

'Above the Clouds' Hosta

Hosta hybrid

'Affair to Remember' Hosta (Hosta hybrid) — and a feathered green overlay

'Affair to Remember' Hosta

Hosta hybrid

Alabama Jubilee Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Alabama Jubilee') — Each blossom spans approximately 7 inches across and adorns the plant from early to mid-summer

Perennial

Alabama Jubilee Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Alabama Jubilee'

FullUSDA 5–11
Albomarginata Hosta (Hosta 'Undulata Albo-Marginata') — it blooms with delicate pale lavender flowers

Perennial

Albomarginata Hosta

Hosta 'Undulata Albo-Marginata'

HalfUSDA 3–9
'All the Buzz' Ornamental Onion (Allium hybrid) — All the Buzz Ornamental Onion

'All the Buzz' Ornamental Onion

Allium hybrid