Hostas and sun conditions:

Sunlight and hostas work like gas in your car, just like your car needs gas, hostas need sun, but keep in mind, the right type and amount are crucial for best results. To determine the proper sun and hostas scenario, you need to find the balance between the amount of moisture the roots receive, the soil, the individual cultivar's needs, and the amount of light.

Each variety of hosta may have slightly different light requirements. The HostaSearch™ Database lists the specific light tolerance of many hostas. As an example, plantaginea and its hybrids can be grown in full sun in most regions. Hostas will grow in almost any light condition, but they may not thrive or have good color in every light condition. More sun is required to grow good flowers. Shade from 12 to 4pm also keeps hostas looking their best. You can use ornamental grasses, trees, shrubs, arbors, pergolas, trellises, shade clothes, and climbing vines to provide extra shade. Remember, you can always move your hostas to different locations if necessary. For larger leaves, plant your hostas in deeper shade. Darker colored hostas have more chlorophyll in them and thus need less light. Remember that the position and the intensity of the sun changes and trees lose and gain their leaves during the growing season.

 

To learn about hosta colors and influences to hosta colors, visit our Hosta Colors page.

Full sun:

Hostas with green, chartreuse or yellow leaves are able to handle more sun provided there is adequate moisture for the roots. Depending upon the variety, hostas can grow in full sun but with plenty of water will survive. However, it can make the hosta look less desirable as leaves may become burnt and brown later in the season, especially if the roots are not getting enough moisture. If you grow hostas in stronger afternoon sun, make sure you water them more. Hostas that can tolerate more sun are noted in our HostaSearch™ Database. Hostas grown in more sun will have more leaves, longer and narrower leaves, and colors that may look more bleached or washed out. Hostas in full sun will grow faster and create more roots than those grown in more shade due to photosynthesis. See the color difference in two May hostas grown in different light conditions. Occasionally, the hosta leaves can bleach and lose color without burning, here is a video showing this phenomenon.

Bleached Leaves

Shade:

Shade can vary in quality and intensity. Light cast by a high tree canopy is only partial shade and ideal for hostas. Hostas with blue-green leaves and white variegation, whether in the center or margins,do best in shaded areas.

Sun and Slopes

See a hosta Mr. Big side by side stunted growth due to lack of sun. Tom Carlson explains it all in this video.

Gray and blue hostas:

Hostas are gray or blue because the specific cultivar (type of hosta) has a gene that creates extra wax on the outside of the leaf.So theyremain blue or gray as long as possible, grow these hostas out of direct wind and rain which causes the wax to rub off, and keep out of direct sun, which causes the wax to melt off. When the wax comes off, the hosta will show its underlying green color. Some varieties have more intense blue color than others and some hold their blue or gray color longer than others. Note that some spectacular blue hostas do not have the term "blue" in their name (example: "H. Halcyon"). It is difficult for color photography to accurately represent the true blue color of the leavesbecause there are so many variables involved.

Gold hostas:

Generally, gold hostas will tolerate more intense sunlight better than other hostas. Most yellow hostas also require more sun than to lighten them to their fullest potential. See H. May leaf example above.

Fragrant Hostas | Hosta Maintenance | Yellow Hostas

Seasonal Hosta Care | Hosta Garden Information