Hostas have been a favorite plant among gardeners for a long time. They are found in various colors, such as elephant purple, blue, red, and yellow. Their lush contrasting leaves appear pleasing to the eyes. Planting large and mini Hostas in the garden serves as perfect ground cover.
Hostas, commonly known as plantain lilies, are perennial garden plants since they thrive all year round. They are easy to care for.
In this article, we will discuss 7 plants to grow with Hosta. We’ll also walk you through the worst companion plants for hostas, their growing requirements and how to prevent diseases and pests.
Why Does Hosta Need Companion Plants?
Plants that are good companions of Hosta will encourage each other’s growth. To understand why Hostas need companion planting, let’s first understand what companion plants are.
Companion plants are the age-old practice of growing various plants altogether. This Chinese practice increases the productivity of plants. They boost soil nutrients, repel pests and insects, thus helping in each other’s growth.
Likewise, plants that are good companions of Hostas will promote the growth of the latter. A good companion plant would make the soil fertile, attract beneficial insects and pollinators, repel pests and insects, keep weeds out, prevent soil erosion, provide ground cover, and provide shade. Maintaining healthy plants would make your garden look beautiful.
Best Hosta Companion Plants
Plants having similar kinds of soil and other requirements to Hostas and complements each other will make good companions. We are sharing the seven best companion plants in this section of the article. Read on to know more.
1. Tulip
Both tulips and hostas require well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering.
Tulips grow tall and upright, whereas hostas tend to have a mounding and cascading growth pattern. These differences in their height create a pleasing visual contrast in the garden.
Tulips come in a variety of vibrant colors. They create a striking contrast when planted alongside hostas, which typically have lush green foliage. The colorful tulip flowers make the garden look visually appealing since it complements the hosta’s foliage.
2. Daffodils
Daffodils contain toxic compounds that deter pests and animals like deer, rabbits, and squirrels. When daffodils are planted alongside hostas, they can help deter these pests from feasting on your hostas.
Daffodils require very little maintenance and can thrive in various soil conditions. This makes them well-suited to be planted alongside hostas.
Daffodils typically bloom in early spring, well before the hostas fully emerge. So when planted alongside hostas, you can create a sequential blooming pattern, creating a transition from winter to spring.
3. Azalea
Hostas are shade-loving plants that naturally complement ornamental shrub azaleas for their spectacular display of lush elegance.
Azaleas and hostas thrive in similar conditions, from partial sun to shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Azaleas usually grows 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it a good choice for smaller garden plants like Hostas.
4. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts produce unique and eye-catching flowers in various colors such as pink, white, or red. When planted alongside hostas, which typically have green or variegated foliage, the colorful blooms of bleeding hearts can help create a vibrant contrast, thus making your garden stand out.
When planted together, both plants will add beautiful contrasting colors to the garden.
Both bleeding hearts and hostas are shade-tolerant plants. They thrive in partially shaded areas of the garden. This shared preference makes them well-suited as companions.
5. Coral Bells
Coral Bells, too, come in various colors like green, purple, bronze, and silver. When planted alongside hostas, which typically have lush green foliage, the contrasting colors of coral bells create a visually striking combination.
The blooming period of coral bell overlaps with the emergence of hostas. So when they are planted together, you can achieve a sequential blooming pattern.
Hostas with coral bells have similar soil, water, and light requirements, so would make for good companions.
6. Hydrangeas
Both hostas and hydrangeas require a similar amount of sunlight. They can thrive in partially shaded areas of the garden.
Both require well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering. This makes them compatible as companions in terms of maintenance and requirements.
The hosta’s foliage can provide shade and help keep the soil cooler, which can benefit hydrangeas during hot summers.
7. Tuberous begonias
Tuberous begonias when planted alongside hostas add visual appeal and variety to the garden. The colorful blooms of tuberous begonias provide a burst of color against the hosta’s foliage, creating a vibrant and captivating display.
Both tuberous begonias and hostas thrive and grow in partially shaded areas. Both prefer cooler, shaded conditions and avoid direct sunlight. This shared preference for shade makes them great companions.
Both tuberous begonia and hostas have similar water and soil requirements making them suitable as companions.
Worst Companion Plants For Hosta
Hostas are shade-loving perennials. Avoid planting Hostas near plants with enough sun requirements and drought-tolerant plant conditions.
1. Lavender
Hostas thrive in shade or partially shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil. Lavender, on the other hand, prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Therefore planting them together would make it difficult for either of them to thrive and grow.
Hostas need a good amount of water for their healthy growth. Lavender, on the other hand, prefers drier soil.
2. Marigolds
Hostas are shade-loving plants, whereas Marigolds need good sunlight. Planting them together may result in one or both plants struggling to adapt to the differing conditions.
Both marigolds and hostas can grow up to be big plants over time. If planted too close together, they may overcrowd each other, limiting airflow and preventing light from penetrating.
3. Coneflowers
Hostas prefer shade or partial shade with moist and well-drained soil, while coneflowers thrive in full sun with well-drained soil.
These differing light and moisture requirements make them bad companions.
4. Rosemary
Planting hostas with rosemary together are not appealing to the garden look so avoid planting them closely.
Hostas thrive in shades or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil, but rosemary prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
5. Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller and hostas are among the worst companion plants. Dusty Miller is a drought-tolerant plant, whereas Hostas are drought-resistant plants.
Hostas thrive where there isn’t much sunlight, whereas dusty miller requires full sun.
What Are Hosta’s Growing Requirements?
Every gardener needs to understand the growing requirements when planting certain plants; let’s look at the Hosta’s growing requirements:
- Season: Hostas are perennial plants, i.e., all seasoned plants.
- Sun: Hostas easily thrive in very little sunlight. They grow well in total or partial shade.
- Soil: They require slightly acidic to neutral soil with good drainage.
- Water: During summer, large hostas should be watered twice a week, whereas miniature hostas need daily watering.
- Flowers color: They come in various colors, like pink, purple, white, and blue.
- Fertilize: Hostas do not need much fertilizer. Rich soil and water can be enough for their healthy growth.
- Features: Attracts birds and butterflies.
- Bloom: They bloom in summer.
Grass Diseases And Pests
Hostas are resilient garden plants, but pests and diseases can take hold if not adequately cared for. Understanding the requirement to deal with these pests and diseases and preventing them is essential to keep this perennial plant healthy.
Below are some of the common diseases that may be seen in hostas. Also, find a list of pests that may attack the plant from time to time.
Common Hosta Diseases
- Anthracnose
- Foliar nematodes
- Root-knot nematode
- Bacterial Soft Rot
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Hosta virus X
- Fusarium Rot
- Petiole Rot
- Phytophthora Foliage Blight
- Viruses
Common Hosta Pests
- Black vine weevil
- Nematodes
- Snails or Slugs
- Aphids
Remedies to Protect Hostas from Diseases and Pests:
Hostas are shady plants; they don’t require much sunlight, which results in pests and disease attacks. A multi-pronged approach is necessary to protect Hostas from diseases and pests. Here are some of them.
- Pluck away all of the infected leaves.
- Treat the plant with copper fungicide.
- Practice good sanitation by keeping tools clean before using them in the garden. It can help limit the problem of pests and diseases.
- Use chemicals such as hydrogen dioxide to kill harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
In this article we have learned which are the 7 best companion plants and the five worst companion plants for Hostas. Hope it will guide you when selecting a plant to plant alongside Hostas.
We have also discussed ways to take care of your Hostas properly and prevent pests and diseases.
If you think we have missed out on any of the plants, do mention them in the comment section. We would be more than happy to add it to our article.