How Many Varieties of Hostas Are There?

Choose from thousands of varieties of hostas to add elegant style to your garden.


Hostas are rightly called the queen of the shade garden—with thousands of varieties on the market, there is a type for just about any situation. Though they are best known to add color and structure beneath trees and in the shadow of buildings, several hostas perform well with some sun, though they may require additional water.

Types of Hostas

After arriving in the New World from Korea and China in the mid-1800s, hostas’ popularity as a garden staple continues unabated today. Easy to care for and heedless of competition from other roots, they are a natural choice for growing under trees. The nursery trade carries over 2,500 named cultivars, from petite dwarf types to mammoth varieties spanning several feet across. Though the spikes of white to lavender flowers that come up in summer are lovely in their own right, and sometimes highly fragrant, the true draw of the plant is the foliage. Leaf colors range in hues from dusky blue to true green to chartreuse and gold.

Growing Conditions

Most types of hostas look their best when provided with light shade, rich organic soils and plenty of moisture. Hostas grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8, though high temperatures can take their toll. Afternoon shade is especially beneficial in hot climates, where in full sun hostas tend to look raggedy and tired by mid summer.

For Sunnier Areas

If you’re bound and determined to include hostas in a yard that lacks adequate shade, look for varieties that have been bred specifically for sun tolerance. Plantain lily (H. plantaginea) is an old-fashioned green type that grows to 2 feet in height and width, and features extremely aromatic flowers. Hosta x fortunei “Francee” is shorter, up to 10 inches tall with white-edged leaves. “Golden Tiara” is taller, up to 12 inches, with yellow leaf margins. Lighter-leaved varieties prefer more shade, though “Guacamole” and “Sum and Substance” are two examples of sun-tolerant yellow varieties. Blue-leaved types also retain their color better in the shade.

Pests and Diseases

Choose hosta varieties with thick leaves to combat slugs, the most common problem plaguing hosta growers. A layer of coarse mulch combined with slug traps or repellent discourages attacks. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes brown splotches and holes in leaves. Crown rot is another fungal disease that starts with browning or yellowing lower leaves, and culminates with the collapse and death of the entire plant. Treat anthracnose with fungicides labeled for use with hostas. Crown rot is more difficult, usually involves removing and discarding the entire affected plant and surrounding soil.

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