Sun Tolerance Guide

• General Rule: All morning sunshine is welcome, then semi or full shade during the afternoon. Hostas expire a lot of water via their leaves. The hot afternoon sun will tax their ability to supply sufficient water to the leaf. The heat will deteriorate the Hosta leaves from the edges inwards.
• Just a Touch of Sun: Some hostas will burn quite easily so that only 1-2 hours of early morning sun is maximum that can be tolerated.  'White Christmas' has minimal chlorophyll, very thin leaves and will bake.  The white part of the leave will develop a green cast with too much sun.
• Fragrant Hostas: Require more sun to bloom well. These varieties can tolerate an extensive amount of afternoon sun.  Varieties in my gardens which are fragrant are 'Royal Standard', 'Honeybells', 'So Sweet', 'Sugar & Cream', plantaginea, plantaginea 'Aphrodite', 'Invincible'. Full shade will impair blooming period and plant size.
• All Yellow/Yellow Centered Hostas: Hostas that have yellow centers, or are all yellow must have 1-2 hours of direct sun.  If they do not have enough sun, the yellow portion will stay green or look like it is attempting to turn yellow.
• Sun Power: As you observe hostas in other gardens and homes, you will see many varieties tolerating all day sun. Varieties in my gardens which can handle all day sun are 'August Moon', undulata Albo-marginata', 'Sun Power', 'Invincible', 'Royal Standard', 'Honeybells', 'Peal Lake', 'Francee', lancifolia.
• Variegated Varieties: These varieties have less chlorophyll and do better with more sunshine, preferably morning sun, but not full sun.
• Some Like It Darker: Generally, dark green and blue Hostas will do better in more shade because they have more chlorophyll. Real dark, fully shaded areas are also OK but the Hosta will typically have larger fewer leaves.

Full Sun Areas and Hostas to Use

We can help by suggesting those varieties that we have seen with good sun tolerance.  However, we offer NO GUARANTEE as to the plant's performance in full afternoon sun. 

I get questioned frequently, "I have this garden area in full sun and . . ."  Some hostas are sun tolerant.  A hosta in full sun will NOT look 100% as good as the same variety would look in dappled or morning sun.  You will see some of the following possible effects on hostas in full sun:

Faded spots on leaves, possibly the whole plant looking duller in color.

Some browning at the leaf tips/edges.

Hostas with Full Sun Tolerance Potential

• Blues - 'Blue Angel', 'Elegans', 'Halcyon', 'Krossa Regal'.
• Variegated - 'Allan P. McConnell', 'Francee', 'So Sweet', 'Sugar & Cream', undulata 'Albo-marginata'.
• Green -  'Honeybells', 'Invincible', lancifolia,  'Peal Lake', plantaginea, plantaginea 'Aphrodite, 'Royal Standard'.
• Yellow - 'August Moon',  'Sun Power'.

Beneficial Practices

• Mulch: Applying a much under the Hosta will substantially reduce soil moisture lost by evaporation, especially when the sun reaches the exposed soil.
• Water Deeply: Hosta roots run deep reaching 18" deep or more. Remember the Hosta crown is 1-2 inches below the ground level, with the roots located under the crown. A superficial watering is NOT beneficial to the Hosta.

• Reflected Sun: It may not be apparent with the naked eye, but direct sun bounces off of structures near the Hosta. A Hosta may be 'baked' because of reflected light.
• Ground Moisture: If your pushing it and want your Hosta to look as good as possible, KEEP IT ADEQUATELY WATERED!
• Soil Type: Take the time to amend your soil. Be careful to notice the soil that the potted Hosta is potted with. Generally potting mixtures dry out extremely fast. I always completely remove all potting soil and transplant only with it's new soil. If you just plant it 'as is' from the pot, the Hosta crown will not be supplied with consistent and adequate water.
• Landscape Slope: Sloping ground may not allow adequate water to penetrate the soil.
• Heat Sources: Appliances such as air conditioners, air exchangers, etc. generate a lot of heat. Newer models direct the heated air upwards. Those units which exhaust the heated air out along ground level will bake near-by Hostas.
• Elevation.  The higher the elevation the more intense the sun.  More shade may be the only answer to hosta survival.
• Southern Climates. The lower the latitude, the more intense the sun.  More shade may be the only answer to hosta survival.