Companion Plants for Hostas

December 5, 2022

Hostas have earned their status as one of the most popular perennials for shade gardens. Their thick, corrugated leaves form graceful mounds of foliage that keep their appeal from spring to fall. Most importantly, they’re easy to grow (even for beginners) in containers, garden beds, and city environments. By this point, we hope to have already convinced you to add at least one hosta to your landscape. But what plants should you pair with them?

The possibilities seem endless, especially since hostas are one of the most versatile plants we offer. They come in an array of shapes, colors, and sizes, which means they play well with others but can also create a dynamic garden all on their own. We’ll spell out our favorite companion plants for hostas to get you started, but let your creativity flow as you mix and match them.

How to grow hostas

It’s crucial to know how to grow hostas before selecting compatible plants. Hostas grow best in morning sun and cool afternoon shade. Therefore, you wouldn’t want to pair it with lavender, which prefers full sun and dry soils. The best plants to pair will grow in similar conditions.

Soil: Prefers to grow in average or fertile soil.
Light: Thrives in shade (< 4 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, especially in hotter climates.
Water: Hostas have average water needs, and once established, they have some tolerance for dry shade (particularly plants with thick leaves). For the best growth, soils should not dry out.
Fertilizing: In spring, a light fertilizer can be applied around the emerging plant. It may not be necessary if your garden has fertile soil.
Winterizing: Slugs lay their eggs in dead hosta foliage, and removing leaves after frost will deter slugs from returning in spring. Cut the foliage back in late fall, but leave 4-6 inches standing to protect the crown over winter. In cold climates, spread an extra layer of mulch (2″ thick) for added insulation.
Maintenance & pruning: Groom plants by removing dead leaves and cutting flower spikes back as they finish blooming in summer.

Plants to pair with hostas

The peanut butter and jelly pairing of the garden world: hostas and coral bells. Both perennials are beloved for their long-lasting color that persists from spring to fall.

Evergreen lenten roses (or hellebores) bloom in winter while hostas are still dormant, ensuring your shaded garden beds are appealing before your hostas even emerge.

Ferns have feather-like fronds that contrast nicely with hostas’ broad leaves. Like hostas, ferns grow well in problematic sites, which means even shady corners can look lush.

Shaded gardens are known for their foliage, but don’t forget the flowers! Pair hostas with astilbe’s fluffy plumes for a textured landscape.

Hostas aren’t just meant for shade. They also grow well in part sun, which means you can match them with other moisture-loving plants, like hydrangeas.

Charming heart-shaped flowers on bleeding hearts bloom well in part sun and shade. The broad leaves of hostas serve as the perfect backdrop for the delicate blooms.

Brunnera’s silver heart-shaped shimmer is just enough to catch your eye, so we like to tuck them between hostas to keep the garden interesting.

We love pairing Japanese forest grass (or Hakonechloa) with hostas with chartreuse variegation to brighten the shade.

Diervilla is an easy-growing shrub that keeps your garden low maintenance, even in shade. Plus, its orange and chartreuse foliage pairs well with cool-colored hostas.

Fragrant spikes of white flowers on sweetspire bloom in summer. When they’re planted with hostas that have fragrant flowers, pollinators (and gardeners) won’t be able to resist visiting your garden.

Eclectic lungworts always add interest to shade gardens. Colorful flowers bloom in spring, and after they fade, silver-speckled foliage shimmers alongside your hostas.

Japanese anemones are known for their tall stems and satiny flowers, which look somehow even more whimsical as they float above your hostas.

Designs from our garden journal

Drawing from our garden journal with chartreuse foliage and pink flowers for shade or part sun. — This bed's chartreuse foliage and pink flowers can even make your shade gardens feel sunny.

Drawing from our garden journal with shade perennials and shrubs under a tree canopy. — Mix these colorful and low-maintenance perennials and shrubs to problematic sites, like under the canopy of large trees.

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Written by: Miranda Niemic, click here to read bio.

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