
Do hostas need full sun?
Yes, some hosta varieties enjoy lots of sun and can continue to flourish even during a heatwave. “Full sun” traditionally means about 6 hours of sunlight per day, but if you plant your hostas in an area where that sunlight occurs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., you may start to see some browning of their leaves.
Can Hosta take full sun?
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. Grows vigorously with twisted, wavy leaves and pointed tips. Lavender flowers.
How much sun do hostas need?
Similarly, fragrant hostas in the species Hosta plantaginea, need exposure to the sun to develop their flowers. Hosta plantaginea is one of the most sun-tolerant hosta species, thriving even in four to six hours of sun exposure.
How much sun for hostas?
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.

What hostas grow in the morning?
Sun Power – A bright gold hosta holding color well when planted in morning sun. Grows vigorously with twisted, wavy leaves and pointed tips. Lavender flowers.
Do hostas tolerate sun?
Yet, there are hostas for sun that have grown for decades in many well-planted gardens too.
Do hostas need sun?
Hostas are most often considered shade plants. It’s true that most hosta plants should grow in a partial shade or dappled sun area to keep leaves from burning, but there are now many sun-loving hostas available for the garden.
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 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.
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.

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-tolerant varieties seem to do best when exposed t…
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 sitting in f…
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.