Hosta Hosta spp.
Hosta (Hosta spp.) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Asparagaceae family. It grows 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Hosta in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Hosta at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 30–70 cm (12–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Hosta toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, flowers, roots
Saponins cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression in cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hosta
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Hosta in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Butchart Gardens (16 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (24 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (8 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (10 plants)
Questions about Hosta
- How far apart should I plant Hosta?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Hosta need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hosta need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Hosta?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Hosta flower?
- From about July for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hosta poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people not well documented. Saponins cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression in cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Hosta?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hosta. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Prone to slug damage.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana
- Adam's needle (yucca) Yucca filamentosa