
What are the best Hosta plants to grow in sun or shade?
Those with yellow leaves or genes of the Hosta plantaginea family are among the best hosta plants to grow in sun. Interestingly, those with fragrant blooms grow best in full morning sun. Sun Power – A bright gold hosta holding color well when planted in morning sun.
What kind of hosta has rippled leaves?
Sun Mouse – A miniature hosta with rippled leaves that are bright gold in morning sun. This member of the Mouse hosta collection, developed by grower Tony Avent, is so new that nobody is yet sure how much sun it will tolerate. Try it if you want to experiment.
Do hostas with yellow leaves need more sun?
Hostas with yellow leaves or fragrant flowers can stand more sun than Hostas with green, blue or white leaves. ... While yellow and fragrant hostas need some sun exposure, they do not like to bake or fry in the sun.
Do gold Regal hostas like sun or shade?
Gold Regal Hosta Gold Regal Hosta is a large hosta with upright-facing yellow-green leaves. This is a sun-tolerant variety which can grow in full-sun locations in mild climates. Like other large hostas, it benefits from afternoon shade in hot climates. The leaves will be a much brighter yellow-green when this plant is grown in sunny locations.

Which hostas do better in sun?
Hosta varieties with extensive white coloration or with thin leaves are likely to burn in full sun. In general, blue-leaf hostas require shade, while those with fragrant flowers, gold or yellow foliage or slight white variegation can tolerate more sun.
Are there sun hostas?
Hostas That Can Tolerate More Sun Exposure! These sun-tolerant hosta plants can flourish in many light settings. These hostas can handle more sun than most if grown in good soil with adequate moisture.
Can hostas tolerate afternoon sun?
Shade Varieties The Paradigm hosta loves to be in full sun, but can tolerate some sun in the early morning. Shade-loving hostas should be out of direct sunlight. However, they are usually fine with early morning sun exposure.
What happens if hostas get too much sun?
Planting Hostas in Sun Too much sunlight causes leaves to scorch and bleach out. Hostas like even moisture, too, which is another reason sunny spots don't work — they tend to dry out faster. So if you're looking for drought-tolerant plants, hostas might not be the right choice.
How many hours of sun can hostas tolerate?
around 6 hoursConsiderations for Growing Hostas in Sun At best, Hostas like sun in moderate amounts. The varieties I recommended above can tolerate around 6 hours of morning sun. They'll likely burn up with 6 hours of intense afternoon sun or 6 hours of morning sun with even just 2 hours of afternoon sun.
What plants do well in hot sun?
7 Heat-Tolerant Plants that Love the SunLantana.Lemon Verbena.Cosmos.Marigold.Geranium.Salvia.Sedum.
Where is the best place to plant hostas?
Where to Plant Hostas. To plant hostas, select a spot that receives partial to full shade. Most types of hostas can withstand morning sun but prefer a shady setting. It's important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that's fertile and full of organic matter.
Can Patriot hosta take full sun?
High-filtered or dappled sunlight is necessary for clean, healthy growth. Morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but hot afternoon sun is usually deadly to hostas. They are most at home in shady, woodland settings and often work well as specimen or edging plants.
How much sun does a hosta need?
In general, yellow or gold hostas tolerate partially sunny location without losing their vibrant yellow color. About two hours of daily sun exposure will keep these yellow or golden beauties looking their best. Aim for morning sun to avoid burned leaves.
How to tell if hosta is getting too much sun?
There are two clear signs that will tell you your if your hosta is getting too much sun: You will notice browning on the tips or outside edges of leaves. Your plant's leaves will dull in color or get faded spots. If your hosta is not doing as well as you would like, do not be afraid to move it.
Why are my hostas blue?
Too much sun exposure also causes colors to fade. Blue hostas require the most protection from the sun. The leaves of blue-colored hostas aren't actually blue. Instead, a waxy coating on the green leaves provides a blueish appearance for the plant.
Why are my hosta leaves brown?
Although they're known for their shade-tolerance, most hosta varieties perform well when exposed to a bit of morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun exposure will result in burned leaves, starting from the edges inward. The leaves will look brown, dry, and papery. Too much sun exposure also causes colors to fade.
Can you grow blue hostas in full sun?
As established, no blue hostas should be planted in full-sun spots. However, you can try to grow these types of blue hosta in sunny, but not full sun, locations. Blue Hosta: ' Blue Angel', 'Elegans', ' Halcyon ', 'Krossa Regal'.
Do hostas need sun?
Hosta plantaginea is one of the most sun-tolerant hosta species, thriving even in four to six hours of sun exposure.
Can hostas be in full sun?
The caveat here is that these cultivars benefits from some time in the sun, but it is not recommended that any hosta remains in full sun all the time, as the leaves may burn and turn brown. 1 Too much sun exposure may also cause colorful foliage to fade.
Do hostas need water?
Among the hosta varieties that are suited to sun, there are some blues, greens, and fragrant species. Keep in mind they will need water ing frequently. Consider installing drip irrigation to deliver moisture under the leaves. Some great types to try out include:
Do hostas grow in the sun?
There are also sun tolerant hostas available whose foliage will make the perfect setting for other plants. Hostas that grow in sun include variegated varieties, but there are several others (especially those with thick leaves) that are suited to brighter locations.
Can hostas tolerate heat?
Hosta plants for sun may not tolerate extreme heat, however. Hostas that like sun are still not happy when temperatures are high, but you can mitigate some of their stress by using an organic mulch around the root zone.
Are There Sun Tolerant Hostas?
Using hostas plants for sun means setting the stage for successful growth. While they like consistent moisture, the soil must be well-draining. Additionally, incorporate compost or leaf litter to enhance soil nutrient levels. Most species actually develop better color in a site with at least partial sun.
What color are hostas?
Fragrant Bouquet Hostas are medium-large variegated hostas well-suited to sunny planting locations. Leaves are a bright medium-green with creamy white edges. The bright green color of the leaves is best when this variety is planted in full sun. Very hot climates may have to provide some late afternoon shade.
What is a crystal moon hosta?
Crystal Moon Hosta is a medium-large variegated hosta. The dark green leaves have white edges (and the flowers are white too). Like Korean Snow, this variety grows best when given morning sun and afternoon shade.
What is gold regal hosta?
Gold Regal Hosta is a large hosta with upright-facing yellow-green leaves. This is a sun-tolerant variety which can grow in full-sun locations in mild climates. Like other large hostas, it benefits from afternoon shade in hot climates. The leaves will be a much brighter yellow-green when this plant is grown in sunny locations.
What color is August Moon Hosta?
August Moon Hosta is a large yellow-green hosta for sun. The lime-green color of the leaves is brightest when this plant receives 4-6 hours of full sun (preferably in the morning). In climates with hot dry summers, this variety should be given shade in the afternoon, when sunlight can be harsh and desiccate the large leaves.
Do hostas like full sun?
Guacamole Hostas are medium-large hostas with variegated green leaves that make great hostas for sun. The center of the leaves is a lime-green chartreuse shade, while the edges have irregular dark green streaking. Guacamole Hosta develops its best color when grown in full sun. Plants grown in mild climates can generally handle full sun all day, while those in hot climates should be limited to full sun in the morning only. Read more about Guacamole Hostas.
Can hostas grow in full sun?
These leafy beauties get their best, brightest color when grown in the sun. In mild climates, these plants can be grown in full sun, provided they have consistent water and the soil is not allowed to dry out for long. In warmer areas, some afternoon shade should be provided to give the large leaves respite from the harsh afternoon sun. Read more about Sum and Substance Hostas.
Is Diana Remembered Hosta a variegated hosta?
Diana Remembered Hosta is a medium-sized variegated hosta for sun. Leaves are a deep green with wide, creamy-white borders. This sun-lover can thrive in full sun planting locations in areas with mild summers, but should be given shade in the afternoon in climates with hot summers.
What color is a hosta?
This hosta features attractive yellow leaves with a dark green margin that creates a great color contrast. The prominent veins throughout the leaf give this hosta a stained glass window effect. To grow 'Stained Glass' in full sun, good fertile soil and adequate moisture are needed.
How big does a hosta grow?
This immense hosta grows up to 30 inches high and 60 inches in diameter. It features heart-shaped, thick-textured, glossy yellow leaves which turn golden over time with proper sun exposure, and racemes of bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers on scapes up to 38 inches.
Do hostas burn in full sun?
Hostas for sun also feature many varieties with gold or yellow tone leaves. These lighter-colored hostas do tend to burn in full sun, so plan to provide protection from the hottest afternoon sun. Hosta ‘Sun Power’ unfurls bright chartreuse leaves that splash gold into a planting, while ‘Fried Bananas’ brings a real glow to any landscape with its shiny gold leaves.
Do hostas like the sun?
Many hostas with fragrant flowers fall into the sun-tolerant hostas group. These hostas usually have a touch of Hosta plantaginea in their family tree. Hosta plantaginea, which is a sun tolerant hosta, is a Chinese native that opens white flowers in late summer at dusk, releasing a heady perfume. Other fragrant varieties of hostas for sun include ‘Ambrosia’ and ‘Fried Green Tomatoes.’
Do hostas need sun protection?
The thing to know about sun-tolerant hostas is that while they withstand more sun than traditional shade-loving hostas, they do need protection from sun during the hottest part of the day. In Zone 6 and north, hostas can tolerate more sun than in warmer zones. In the hottest zones, even sun-tolerant hostas will have a tough time withstanding more than a few hours of sun.
Can hostas take sun?
Rather, hostas that withstand sun are referred to as sun-tolerant hostas. That means they can take some sun — definitely a little more than most of their shade-loving hosta cousins — but still need protection from the hot afternoon sun. Hostas for sun share some common characteristics.
What are some sun tolerant hostas?
Ready to shop for sun-tolerant hostas for your yard? Growers are helping you out by giving some of them obvious names, such as “sun power” and “sun mouse.” Sun-tolerating varieties with those gold-edged or variegated leaves often have a hint in the name as well — “gold regal,” “golden sculpture” and “sundance,” for example.
What hostas are good for full sun?
Go For Gold-Tipped Hostas For Full Sun. Hostas are known for being easygoing, low-maintenance plants that thrive in the shade. But if you want varieties that can also thrive in the sunshine, look for hostas with golden or yellow-tipped leaves. These hostas are better in full sun than hostas that have blue or white leaves.
How to tell if hostas are blue or gold?
If you’re overwhelmed by the hosta options at your garden center and can’t tell if a plant is blue-tinged or gold-kissed, rely on your fingers instead. Look for hostas that have leaves that are thicker and more textured. These varieties tend to do better in sunlight than hostas with thinner and silkier leaves.
Do hostas need sun?
Hostas are a garden staple. These perennial plants offer structure as border plants and lush greenery in mass plantings. While hostas are known for their shade tolerance and their ability to flourish with little sunlight, the good news is that there are also full-sun hostas that can continue to thrive even in summer’s rays.
Do hostas produce flowers?
Many people don’ t realize this, but since hostas are part of the liliacea family, some varieties of hostas produce flowers. These funnel-shaped blooms come in a variety of shades, from angelic white to sensuous violet, and these flowering hostas are known for being more sun-tolerant than their non-flowering peers.
Do hostas turn brown?
Not all hostas are created equal when it comes to flourishing in the sunshine. Here is what you need to know about hostas to ensure your green thumb doesn’t turn brown due to sweltering rays.
Do shade loving plants like sunshine?
Some varieties of these shade-loving plants actually prefer sunshine!

Definitions
Culture
- Hostas with yellow leaves or fragrant flowers can stand more sun than hostas with green, blue, or white leaves.
Cultivation
- In general, yellow hostas need to be planted in a partially sunny location to keep their yellow color vibrant. Without at least a couple of hours of full sun, the yellow color will fade to green, or worse, look like a green leaf that is yellowing. No hosta is going to thrive in deep shade. All hostas need some sunlight to photosynthesize. The shade...
Ecology
- Similarly, fragrant hostas in the species Hosta plantaginea, need exposure to the sun to develop their flowers. Hosta plantaginea is one of the most heat tolerant hosta species.
Climate
- Keep in mind, the heat experienced in a full-sun location can vary from area to area and even during different times of the day. Full sun in the morning hours will not be as intense as the full sun at noon. While yellow and fragrant hostas need some sun exposure, they do not like to bake or fry in the sun. So if your site is extremely hot or dry, you will need to keep any hostas left sittin…
Symptoms
- Blue hostas require the most protection from the sun. The blue-colored hostas have a waxy coating on its leaves. The waxy coating gives the green leaves a blueish tint. In full, hot sun, this waxy coating melts and exposes the green leaf underneath, changing the color of your plant from blue to green. If the waxy coating melts away, it can expose the leaves and may lead to sunburn…
Types
- There are several varieties of hostas with white leaves or variegation. Unfortunately, only trial and error can tell you which types of white hostas can tolerate full sun without burning. The thicker the leaves, the more tolerant the hosta will be of the sun. White variegated hostas with thin leaves, like \"White Christmas,\" should be situated in partial shade to maintain its best appearance.
Varieties
- Based on past growing experience, the American Hosta Society and home gardeners recommend several varieties and cultivars to look at for potential full sun candidates. Keep in mind that these suggestions vary and are dependent on your location, your exact sun exposure, and, of course, all other growing conditions can impact your own plants.