Hosta

RHS Genus Guide

Among the best of all foliage plants (summer flowers are a bonus), hostas vary from large plants to more diminutive types that are suitable for rock gardens. All thrive in shade and make good container plants. They have a reputation for being loved by slugs and snails, so to minimise holes, choose hostas that have some resistance.

Common name: Plantain lily

Dorling Kindersley

RHS Growing Guide

Growing guide

FREE

Read our comprehensive free RHS Growing Guide:

How to grow hostas

RHS Recommended

Hosta

plantain lily 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

plantain lily 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

plantain lily 'June'

Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'June' (v)

plantain lily 'June'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

plantain lily 'Patriot'

Hosta 'Patriot' (v)

plantain lily 'Patriot'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

plantain lily 'Halcyon'

Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'Halcyon'

plantain lily 'Halcyon'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

plantain lily 'Devon Green'

Hosta 'Devon Green'

plantain lily 'Devon Green'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

plantain lily 'Orange Marmalade'

Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' (v)

plantain lily 'Orange Marmalade'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

plantain lily 'Francee'

Hosta 'Francee' (_fortunei_) (v)

plantain lily 'Francee'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

plantain lily 'Sum and Substance'

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

plantain lily 'Sum and Substance'

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

giant blue hosta

Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans

giant blue hosta

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

Award of Garden Merit

Plants for pollinators