How To Plant Hostas & Hosta Varieties In Sun & Shade

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Patriot Hosta in my rock garden with Praying Hands Hostas in the middle of a potted Dragon Begonia plant.
Patriot Hosta in my rock garden with Praying Hands Hosta in the middle of a potted Dragon Begonia plant.
 
 
 
Golden Tiara Hosta, Patriot Hosta and Sun Power Hosta.
Left to right: Golden Tiara Hosta, Patriot Hosta and Sun Power Hosta.
 
 
Transplanting hostas in my garden. 
 
Sun Power Hosta, a Dragon Wing Begonia and a Patriot Hosta.
Pictured left to right, Sun Power Hosta, a Dragon Wing Begonia and a Patriot Hosta.
 
 
In the front of my rock garden are Praying Hands Hostas and in the grass, Golden Tiara Hostas.
 

 

All you need is consistent watering and partial shade during the day

Hostas are one of my favorite outdoor plant varieties.

Since our  move, planting hostas has been at the top of my to do list. 

 
Over the years I have found hostas so easy to plant, grow and maintain.
 
I’ve planted hostas in the ground, in rock gardens and even in pots, and they are always such a breeze to take care of and will reward your efforts with the most beautiful foliage.
 
Don’t be fooled by the robust look and magnificence of these garden beauties.
 
They require very little effort on your part.
 
It’s as simple as consistent watering and an area that offers at least partial shade during the day— and that’s pretty much it!

 

Outdoor yard decorations

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Hostas are perennial blooms— the gift that keeps on giving 

Begonias are my favorite annual plant. They bloom at their best as a shady lady, but do not return season after season.

Hostas, however, are perennials. They lie dormant in the fall and winter months, and return to bloom again and again each spring.
 
Hostas originated as a plant variety with about 40 species from China, Japan and South Korea.
 
Today there are over 8,000 crosses of this incredible plant; definitely one to please any gardener!
 
 
 

Wide foliage

Hosta plants offer foliage that spreads wide, along with miniature types that scale small.
 
Mature species can grow as giant as 96″ across and 60″ tall, with smaller versions that can be as tiny as 2″ tall and 4″ to 6″ wide.
 
Miniature hostas plants are great for walkways and paths, rock gardens and container planting.
 
The larger species in rows can completely fill a flower bed, or even offer a replacement for shrubbery during their season.
 
 

You may also like this post:

 
Best Ground Covers For Full Sun Or Shade Garden Areas
 

 

Both the small and large hostas varieties offer clues to their size by their names.

 
Some of the larger hosta names include Bigga Luigi (as big as 25″ H x 80″ W), Big Daddy (as big as 25″ H x 66″ W), King Size (as big as 48″ H x 84″ W) and my favorite, Empress Wu (as big as 60″ H x 96″ W), with leaves can than can span as large as 25″ across!
 
Smaller plants include names such as Baby Booties (as small as 5″ H x 19″ W), Bitsy Gold (as small as 8″ H x 21″ W) and Blue Mouse Ears (as small as 8″ H x 12″ W).
 
 
Large hosta, Empress Wu. Photo: Monrovia.com
Large hosta, Empress Wu. Photo: Monrovia.com

 

Medium size Sun Power Hosta plant.
Medium size Sun Power Hosta plant.
 
 
The hosta plant pictured above has been with me for over four years and was transplanted from my old house as a container plant.
 
She was previously planted in full sun. This year she is planted in a part shady area where she has experienced her largest blooms thus far— and it’s only May!
 
 
Medium variety Patriot Hosta. 
Medium variety Patriot Hosta. I split this one to yield two hostas in my garden.
 
 
A small Praying Hands Hosta transplanted from my old house as a container plant.
A small Praying Hands Hosta transplanted from my old house as a container plant.
 
 
A small hostas  variety,  Golden Tiara Hosta.
A small hostas  variety,  Golden Tiara Hosta.
 
 
I have three Golden Tiara Hostas in my garden (pictured above).
 

 

Hostas are also differentiated by their leaf color and thickness.

 
Snails and slugs are common perpetrators to the leaves of this plant.
 
The thicker and more blue-color the leaves, the more texture and resistance to these little predators.
 
I’ve used this pet-safe bait HERE to ward off these damaging leaf eaters.
 
Hostas leaf colors are available in shades of blue, gold, chartreuse, streaked and multi-color patterns. There’s even a white leaf hosta known as Feather White.
 
Some hostas produce a long stem of purple or lavender blooms during their season. I’ve been rewarded with as many as 3-4 blooms from my plants during the spring and summer months each year!
 
It’s definitely worth a trip to your local garden store to discover the vast array of hostas plants available.
 
My local garden store of choice is McDonald Garden Center, where I can even find hostas that produce fragrant flowers!
 
 

Go away pesky snails and slugs! Do not eat my hostas!

 

 

3 tips to get pesky snails and slugs to go away!

1.  Treat for snails and slugs (product details HERE) throughout spring & summer and into the fall when their egg-laying season is occurring.
 
2. Bury an empty tuna or cat food can filled with beer, attracting the pests to the beer instead of your plants.
 
3. Create a circle of crushed egg shells around your hostas to deter snails & slugs.
 
 
 
Golden Tiara, small hosta plant with lavender blooms.
Golden Tiara, small hosta plant with lavender blooms.
 
 
The above picture was taken this May 2017. At this time, only one of the three Golden Tiara Hostas in my garden are producing blooms.
 
If you have a shady place in your garden and can commit to providing a daily dose of hydration, it will be hard to beat the easy personality and low maintenance of a hosta plant.
 
 

Thriving hostas in a rock garden

 

5 tips for growing hostas

1. Water every other day in the spring & daily in the summer months.
 
2. Feed every two weeks (my favorite plant feed HERE).
 
3. Plant in a place where there is full to partial shade.
 
4. Trim all the way down during the fall months (buds return in the spring).
 
5. During more sever winter weather, cover each trimmed away, vacant hosta space with hay.
 
 
 

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Hostas Low Maintenance Landscaping For Beginners

 

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This article was first published on iPersonalShop.com on May 30, 2017.

 

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99 Comments

  1. Stephanie Z
    November 24, 2018 / 9:56 pm

    The Begonias are really pretty. I didn’t know they are called “Shady Lady.”

    • November 24, 2018 / 9:56 pm

      Thank You! Begonias thrive best in warm climates with a good amount of “shade” throughout the day!

  2. Ro
    November 24, 2018 / 9:56 pm

    Informative!

    • January 16, 2019 / 5:02 pm

      Same here, Carrie! They’re beautiful in any space and easy to care for.

  3. Kathy Persons
    June 28, 2020 / 6:01 am

    I am a hosta lover. Mine are so big now I have to separate every spring~

    • June 28, 2020 / 7:52 am

      Yeah, I had to separate one in this post. Mine seem to also get larger each season!

  4. Wendy Hutton
    June 28, 2020 / 11:22 am

    love the hosta don;t have any righ now but sure would love to get some

    • June 28, 2020 / 12:05 pm

      Wendy, I hope you do. Hostas are so easy to maintain and reward you with such beautiful foliage!

  5. antoinettem2
    June 28, 2020 / 11:32 am

    I love hostas. So easy to grow!

    • June 28, 2020 / 12:05 pm

      You’re right! So easy and so beautiful.

  6. Ronnell Storie
    June 29, 2020 / 8:14 pm

    Gardening is so rewarding, whether it flowers or fruit and vegetables.

  7. bn100
    June 29, 2020 / 10:33 pm

    nice garden

  8. Cindy Peterson
    June 30, 2020 / 12:18 pm

    Hostas are a favorite of mine. There are many beautiful varieties.

    • June 30, 2020 / 12:37 pm

      Yaasss, and each variety is so beautiful!

  9. Kelsey Vinson
    June 30, 2020 / 1:08 pm

    We bought our house a year ago and the porch is surrounded by huge hostas. I love them. But im not too good are planting around them. Anti green thumb over here.

    • June 30, 2020 / 2:17 pm

      Just water them on a regular and they will reward you! They often get bigger by the season and make the perfect ground cover. You may not need to plant anything else around them.

  10. SaraAB87
    June 30, 2020 / 1:29 pm

    These plants look so great!

  11. KariLorr
    June 30, 2020 / 1:32 pm

    I’m so bad with plants. I just bought one from Aldi, and I’m hoping these tips will help me keep it alive.

  12. Calvin
    June 30, 2020 / 2:33 pm

    I have so many plants, very useful tips, thanks.

  13. Pam Wheeler
    June 30, 2020 / 4:17 pm

    I love hostas, too. I also find that tiger lillies and day lillies are easy to grow.

  14. Angelica
    June 30, 2020 / 7:21 pm

    Hostas are my fave! Your yard looks gorgeous! I’ve never thought of using rocks in place of mulch, I don’t like the look of mulch or the upkeep. Rocks are genius! Thanks for the idea!!

    • June 30, 2020 / 8:52 pm

      You’re welcome! Mulch has to be replaced season after season. The rocks are forever!

  15. Marisela Zuniga
    June 30, 2020 / 7:59 pm

    I definitely need all the tips, thanks for sharing

  16. Brittany
    June 30, 2020 / 8:27 pm

    I seem to kill every plant I buy. My husband brought me home a big Hosta and I Accidentally left it outside on my porch and now it’s bleached and dying. So sad. Hoping it magically revives lol.

    • June 30, 2020 / 8:54 pm

      No worries, Brittany. Your Hosta should return again next year. Just water daily in the summer, starting this year, and it may return before the summer ends (fingers crossed).

  17. phyllis owens
    June 30, 2020 / 11:31 pm

    love the way you set up the garden it looks like a low maintenance way

    • June 30, 2020 / 11:38 pm

      Thank you, Phyllis! The rocks help to reduce the weeds and Hostas are very easy to care for.

      • Jess Walker
        July 1, 2020 / 7:06 am

        It looks beautiful!

  18. Richard Hicks
    July 1, 2020 / 1:48 am

    Some inspiring ideas here to get started!

    • July 1, 2020 / 11:17 am

      Totally! I hope they help you get started!

  19. July 1, 2020 / 2:42 am

    wow your plants are so beautiful. Thank you for all the tips,

    • July 1, 2020 / 11:19 am

      You’re welcome! I’m all about gardening with ease!

  20. Ashley c
    July 1, 2020 / 6:56 am

    Love this! I’m all about low maintenance plants and perennials! I need to look into getting some hostas!

    • July 1, 2020 / 12:26 pm

      Hostas are so easy and soooo beautiful in the yard!

  21. Elizabeth Miller
    July 1, 2020 / 9:20 am

    I love hosta as it is so easy to control, however, the solid green hosta does become hard to control.

    • July 1, 2020 / 12:30 pm

      The leaves are a little thicker as they get greener. Maybe more water + trimming off dead foliage.

  22. Tina Louise
    July 1, 2020 / 10:42 pm

    This gives me so many ideas. I love adding fun plants to our yard.

  23. Juliee Fitze
    July 2, 2020 / 3:54 pm

    Amazing how many different kinds of Hostas there is.

  24. Nicole Martin
    July 2, 2020 / 6:00 pm

    I’m a new homeowner, and I am so glad I found this blog post! Thank you for all the useful info!

    • July 2, 2020 / 6:04 pm

      Congrats, Nicole on your new home! I’m happy to found your way here!

  25. Barrie
    July 2, 2020 / 10:56 pm

    I need low maintenance plants! I suck at growing things.

    • July 2, 2020 / 11:05 pm

      Barrie, then Hostas are for you- just add water!

  26. SHIRLEY EMITT
    July 3, 2020 / 3:20 am

    I love the photos, and I like the Outdoor yard decorations.

  27. Brittany Gilley
    July 3, 2020 / 5:18 am

    What a great article! I still struggle with house plants though

    • July 3, 2020 / 11:22 am

      Thank you, Brittany! Sometimes outdoor plants are easier because of the sun’s help.

  28. rita leonard
    July 3, 2020 / 11:52 am

    Great info on gardening and plants. Thanks so much

    • July 3, 2020 / 12:37 pm

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you found this article helpful.

  29. Francine Anchondo
    July 7, 2020 / 12:53 pm

    I love hostas.such a great plant.

    • July 7, 2020 / 12:58 pm

      They’re my favorite, too, Francine. 😉 So easy to take care of and so beautiful!

  30. Donna
    July 8, 2020 / 5:26 am

    Hostas would be a great addition to my yard. I love the Empress Wu variety!

  31. Sarah Cool
    July 9, 2020 / 2:12 am

    I’ve never heard of Hostas before, they are so pretty! I love your whole rock area it looks so beautiful and your dog is adorable ????

    • July 9, 2020 / 12:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Sarah! Rock gardens are the best- so easy to keep weeds at bay. And thanks so much for complimenting my baby-doggy, Prince George!

  32. Lisa
    July 12, 2020 / 1:06 pm

    Wow everything looks amazing! I love the rocks, function and they look good! Also, adorable dog!!

    • July 13, 2020 / 1:04 pm

      Thanks, Lisa! That’s my puppy making an appearance, Prince George!

  33. Jenn
    July 14, 2020 / 3:55 pm

    I love how low maintenance hostas are! They’re so pretty too!

    • July 14, 2020 / 5:53 pm

      Both reasons exactly why they’re my favorite!

  34. July 15, 2020 / 12:58 am

    Thanks for all this great info.. It really helps a lot..

  35. Lydia Goodman
    July 18, 2020 / 4:51 pm

    Great tips! I just bought a new home and I am looking forward to making my yard a happy place for me and my dog to relax.

    • July 18, 2020 / 7:14 pm

      Congrats on your new home! Hostas are a great addition to your yard.

  36. Susan Smith
    July 19, 2020 / 7:39 pm

    The Dragon Begonia plant is very pretty. I need a low maintenance plant as I tend to for get to water them.

    • July 19, 2020 / 9:17 pm

      Isn’t the Begonia a beauty! She does require water, tho 😉

  37. Shirley Emitt
    July 20, 2020 / 2:02 am

    I love hostas, after reading this, I will be getting some.

    • July 20, 2020 / 11:00 am

      I’d love to see them when you add them to your yard!

  38. tat2gurlzrock
    July 20, 2020 / 11:59 am

    You have some great ideas. So pretty! And I love that frog 🙂

    • July 21, 2020 / 10:46 am

      So glad you love the ideas here! I don’t even like frogs, yet I was compelled to share this one, LOL!

  39. Melissa Storms
    July 22, 2020 / 1:32 am

    I really enjoy planting and maintaining a flower garden but I think it is time for more perennials with a few annuals thrown in. I love hostas and there are so many different to choose from.

  40. Richard Hicks
    July 25, 2020 / 12:54 am

    There are some pretty hostas here that I want in my yard!

    • July 25, 2020 / 2:15 am

      Yes, hostas are beautiful and easy to add to most any yard!

  41. Sarah L
    July 25, 2020 / 11:42 pm

    Hostas are great for shady areas.

  42. Audrey Stewart
    July 26, 2020 / 9:32 am

    You did a great job. I am new to gardening, but I really do enjoy it so much.

    • July 26, 2020 / 12:01 pm

      Thank you kindly, Audrey! I hope this post inspires you to add a few plants to your yard.

  43. July 26, 2020 / 11:30 pm

    These are some great gardening ideas. Thanks!

  44. velvetwhip
    August 13, 2020 / 3:55 pm

    I need to talk my aunt into these. Right now our garden is far too high maintenance.

    • August 14, 2020 / 11:32 pm

      Hostas will be very low maintenance for you!

    • August 14, 2020 / 11:34 pm

      I think so- beautiful and low maintenance!

  45. Debbie P
    November 1, 2020 / 11:39 am

    Thanks for all of the really great tips and ideas.

  46. Leela
    April 16, 2021 / 10:26 pm

    Such pretty begonias.

    • April 17, 2021 / 12:27 pm

      Thanks, Leela! Begonias are one of the best parts of summer!

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