Hostas are classed as a shade loving plant. This often means that the importance of light levels for when growing Hostas can often get overlooked. Light levels have a much greater part to play in growing Hostas than you might think.
The quality and quantity of light can be very important and can drastically change the way a Hosta may look, with neither looking like the same Hosta, and the eventual growth rate of the Hosta, where one or the other is stronger or weaker, and therefore bigger or smaller.
It is fair to say that they all enjoy dappled shade, to a greater or lesser degree. All Hostas need some sunlight, at some point during the day, avoiding the midday sun in most cases.
Some will do better in deeper, or less dappled shade than others. As a sweeping statement, blue & green leaved Hostas tend to like more shade than the light-coloured leaves do. Depending on the variegation ratios, some variegated Hosta do well in heavy dappled shade.
Blue Hostas are the most sensitive varieties to direct sunlight. If they reside in an area that receives hot sun rays for four hours per day or more, they quickly deteriorate. Shade varieties tend to have lighter colouring than their sun-tolerant cousins. White, blue, and lighter green hues are Hostas that prefer shaded areas.
Yellow and gold Hostas need more light to bring out their colours.
The ideal planting location is generally a partially shaded area that gets a bit of direct sunlight in the morning but is shaded from the harsh midday and afternoon light.
Individual varieties can look completely different, if grown in different levels of light. They can sometimes look like a completely different variety. So, let’s have a look at a few examples.
Hosta Banana Kid
The left-hand picture shows Hosta Banana Kid, given the right level of sunlight & dappled shade keeps its yellow leaf colour, whilst the right-hand picture shows the same Hosta but in a position with much less sunshine. As you can see it’s lost the yellow colouring and is much greener. This variety needs plenty of morning or afternoon sun to maintain its yellow leaf colour. It will turn more green as the season progresses so the more light will help it stay yellow for longer.
Hosta Bobcat
Hosta Bobcat creates a much lighter green to the variegation of the leaf when it has adequate sunshine, and a creamier edge. The right-hand version is grown in more shade and offers a darker central green colour and more of a white margin, making it look quite different.
Hosta Devon Green
When growing a dark green leaf such as Hosta Devon Green, it needs to have the depth of colour as in the right-hand picture. This one is grown in more shade than the other version, and therefore benefits from the darker colour. If you want a lighter, more wishy-washy green the by all means offer up more light. Personally, I would always opt for more shade, less light
Hosta Grand Marquee
Give Hosta Grand Marguee more light than shade and you get a much lighter green margin and a more distinct yellow/cream centre. However, if you prefer the version with less light, on the right, it will create this much darker green margin travelling more into the centre, narrowing the centre and making it more of a pale green colour. This is the version that most people will see, and indeed expect from Hosta Grand Marquee.
Hosta June
One of the most marked differences between more light or less light can be seen in Hosta June. This variety will cope well with all light levels but will reflect its position in the colour of the leaves. The more light it has, the paler the colours are. Still very lovely but are mainly a pale green wide centre with a good green margin. As you can see, the left-hand picture which was taken of the Hosta when grown in plenty of light, it is still a very attractive version. It will darken to more like the other photo as the light is less. There are several versions of light levels making several versions of depth of leaf colour. Why not try several positions. This is a wonderfully adaptive variety.
Hosta Lakeside Maverick
Very large leaved, single colour, Hostas such as Lakeside Maverick will show the results of where they are grown, far more obviously. The darker leaf colour can only be achieved with much less light. The more light you allow in, the paler the blue, almost green will show. To keep the good blue colour, it needs far more shade than light. This one will cope with deeper shade and far less hours with any sunlight.
Hosta Paul's Glory
A variegated large-leaved variety such a Hosta Paul’s Glory will look different if grown in more light, than less light. It will cope with more sun, and will still have the large rounded, corrugated leaves but will be lighter in colour. The green margins are not as dark and the centre markings are a little lighter green. I love this one, in this position. Grow this one in a shadier spot, with less hours of sunshine and you will be rewarded with a much darker plant. Very dark green margins with very pale green, almost yellow centres. Still looks fabulous.
Hosta Titanium
When growing a narrow-leaved blue Hosta, such as Hosta Titanium, it is almost imperative that it should have more shade than light. It will cope with a little sunshine, but will always offer up much weaker, coloured leaves, even almost green. The left-hand picture will show what happens with just a little too much light. Try less light to achieve the true-blue colour, you would expect from Hosta Titanium. Both sets of leaves are perfectly healthy, but I like the bluer version myself. How about you?
There are probably dozens of examples of Hostas that look very different given the amount of sunlight, both intensity and time. The majority of Hostas are not affected as extremely as those examples above. However, give your Hosta the best possible position. Do a little research if necessary!
Always follow the instructions from your provider. These are a reasonable guide, but there are always exceptions. Check the information on their websites but beware, they do vary somewhat.
In general, Hostas are shade loving plants, so plant in dappled shade and watch for any signs of the Hosta not enjoying its position, and move. This is easy when Hostas are in pots or containers, but not so much when planted. This may take several attempts.
When a Hosta is in the correct position, it will show you that it is happy, with healthy leaves and ultimately plenty of flowers. This is when you know you have it right.
To learn more about Hostas, you may interested in reading : Grow and Maintain Hostas In Containers, Benefits of Companion Plants, What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Hostas?, Ways to Protect Your Hostas from Slugs and Snails and "Uncovering the Advantages of Bare Root Hostas:
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John Plant
Rewela Hostas
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