Hosta plants are perennial flowering plants in the genus Hosta of the family Asparagaceae. They are native to eastern Asia and are most commonly found in Japan, Korea, and China. Hostas are herbaceous plants, typically growing in clumps of foliage. They typically have large, heart-shaped or nearly round leaves which are often variegated with shades of green, yellow, and white. The flowers of hostas are bell-shaped and typically white or lavender in color. Hostas are popular garden plants, often grown for their attractive foliage. They are also used for ground cover in shady areas.
Planning Your Garden With Hostas
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Hostas are perennial plants. |
| USDA Zone | The USDA Hardiness Zone range for hostas is 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Hostas are generally considered to be hardy in USDA zones 3-8, meaning they can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for hostas is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown hosta plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Hostas prefer a spacing of 1 to 2 feet apart. This allows plenty of room for the plants to spread out and fill in the area. |
| Sun tolerance | Hostas are generally tolerant of full sun in cooler climates, but in hot climates, they do best in light shade or dappled sunlight. |
| Shade tolerance | Hostas are shade tolerant and can thrive in partial shade or full shade. They can also tolerate some direct sunlight, but will do best in areas that receive filtered or dappled sunlight. |
| Water requirements | Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. They should be watered regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. During hot, dry weather, they may need to be watered once or twice a week. During cooler months, they may only need to be watered once every two weeks. It is important to not over-water, as this can cause root rot. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing hostas depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the size of the hosta. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of garden area. If using a slow-release fertilizer, apply 1/4 to 1/2 pound per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing hostas is between 6.0 and 7.0. |
Why Hostas are Popular
People like to grow hostas because they are a low-maintenance, attractive and versatile perennial plant. They are easy to care for and come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Hostas are also shade-tolerant, drought-resistant and can be used as a ground cover, edging, or in containers.
Companion Plants For Hostas
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for hostas include:
Common Pests For Hostas
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow hostas, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- japanese beetles
- slugs
- aphids
- beetles
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
