26 Best Companion Plants for Hosta

Are you looking for companion plants for Hostas? Yes.

Then you have landed on the right page. Here I have mentioned all the great companion plants for hostas to make your garden beautiful.

Hosta is the most popular foliage plant to grow in the garden. And why not?

They are easy to grow, need low maintenance, and have numerous varieties. The only confusion people have is what they should grow with the hosta to have a wonderful look.

Let’s see them one by one.

Companion Plants for Hosta

Below is the list of Best companion plants for Hostas

• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Alliums
• Hyacinths
• Lavender
• Coleus
• Impatiens
• Begonias
• Caladium
• Hydrangeas
• Lamium
• Black Mondo Grass

Find More below…

Spring Bulbs

Adding colorful flowers with this perennial foliage is a great combination. Spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils make a great combination with the hosta.

Photo source: Carol Norquist Companion plants for hosta (Spring bulbs)

Hostas are the earliest plant that grows in the spring season. They let bulbs grow and provide shade, especially under tree shade. When the growing season ends the Hostas foliage helps to cover the bulb’s leaves.

Allium plants are great companion plants for Hostas, it looks like both are the same plant. You can grow spring bulb plants with a hosta in sun.

Some spring bulbs companion for Hostas are:

Tulips

Tulips are perennial herb bulbiferous geophytes that bloom in the spring. Most of the blooms are huge and highly colored (typically red or pink). The bottom of the tepals typically has a contrasting color spot on them.

Late winter or early spring is the typical time of year when tulips begin to sprout. During the winter months, if the weather is very warm, the risk is not as big as first thought.

Flowers like tulips and daffodils tolerate chilly temperatures well. However, if snowy winter conditions return, development may be stunted. A layer of snow may be beneficial in this situation since it acts as an insulator for trees and shrubs

Daffodils

Unless you live in South Florida, daffodils are a hardy and low-maintenance perennial that may be found across North America. They bloom in late winter or early spring after they’ve been planted in the fall. (It’s March, after all, and they’re the birth flower of the month!)

The typical daffodil has six petals and a central corona in the form of a trumpet, although there are many developed variants nowadays. Between one and twenty blooms are produced on leafless stalks; the blossoms may need to be staked to prevent the stems from buckling under their weight.

Planting daffodils on a border or amongst shrubs is a good idea, as it pushes them to blossom inside. They’re perfect in a shady or wooded setting, or even in a huge grove. Many gardeners don’t simply plant a dozen bulbs; they plant hundreds! Cut daffodil flowers are a wonderful addition to a spring bouquet.

Alliums

The allium family of vegetables includes onions, shallots, and garlic. However, there are a number of beautiful decorative alliums that deserve a place in your yard

In both flower and leaf, alliums are awe-inspiring specimens that are very hardy. Easy-to-grow bulbs come in a wide range of colors, heights as well as flowering periods, and shapes. They may be used in both fresh and dried bouquets, making them a perfect choice for gardeners.

Alliums may be grown in even the most congested of gardens since they don’t occupy much room. In addition, deer, voles, chipmunks, and rabbits have a hard time eating alliums.

Hyacinths

While the original color of the hyacinth was light blue or violet, the flower has since evolved into a variety of colors, including white, cobalt blue, and even blood-red hues.

Only one bloom stalk may be produced from each hyacinth bulb. It is possible for the hyacinth’s racemes (clusters of intensely scented flowers) to be loose to thick, with single or double blooms packed together tightly.

Lavender

Lavender is a beloved plant across the globe and is known for its fragrant scent, medical benefits, and stunning bluish-purple color. Pollinators are attracted to the garden as a result of this.

The plant is tolerant of a broad variety of soil conditions and will thrive even in the worst of them. (It thrives in rocky cracks in the Mediterranean!) It needs a lot of sunlight and sufficient drainage in order to thrive. Read my article on giant hosta varieties for the garden.

Shade Ground Cover Plants

Hostas aren’t invasive, they are little tough plants that make them well to grow with ground cover plants, these plants are a little aggressive.

Photo source: Bill Barber Companion plants for hosta (Shade Ground cover plants)

They hold their growth potential with hostas that make them easy to maintain.

Some of the shade ground cover plants are:

Pachysandra

The hardiness of the Japanese pachysandra makes it valuable in the garden. The toughness of this plant, like that of many others, maybe a double-edged knife.

Lamium

Lamium is a herbaceous plant native to the continents of Asia, Europe, and northern Africa, but some have become weeds in crops and have spread over most of the temperate globe.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle is a typical appearance on mountain slopes and banks, providing a green and growing impression in otherwise empty regions. One of the best examples of erosion control is the periwinkle. In USDA zones 4 to 8, periwinkle may also be grown as a spreading shrub.

Japanese Forest Grass

One of the few attractive types of grass that can flourish in shade is the golden Japanese forest grass. It has gorgeous variegated leaves and is a slow-growing perennial. It has 10-inch-long arching lance-shaped green leaves. A non-showy flower stem emerges in the latter part of summer, bearing rust or orange-bronze-colored blooms in the autumn. This grass may grow up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches broad in thick spreading mounds.

Black Mondo Grass

The color of Black mondo grass, according to popular belief, is everything from gloomy. This low-maintenance plant is stunning in rock gardens and as a border edging.

Thin and strap-like, its long, thin, and strap-like leaves may vary from green to purplish-black. As the temperature rises, so does their color. This dark shade plant may provide a striking contrast to flowers with more vibrant tones.

Perennial Plants That Grow With Hostas

Ferns And Hostas Together

Planting Hosta with ferns gives a tropical feeling. They make a pretty good combination.

Photo source: Andrea_44 Companion plants for hosta (Fern and hostas together)

Ferns are easy to grow and live as long as hostas. They have graceful form and finely textured foliage which is the perfect counterpoint for the hosta’s broad leaves and bulkier stature.

Related Post: 39 Best Hostas for shade Garden

Hostas With Other Hostas

Planting hostas with other varieties of hostas also works great. Suppose you have planted 4-5 vegetative hostas varieties, and plant 3-4 solid color hosts aside from them.

Photo source: Brian Turner Companion plants for hosta (hostas with other hostas)

This hosta combination looks pretty good on the garden border. You can also grow the same variety of the hosta on a sideline of the garden that also looks stunning.

Related Post: 5 Tips For Growing And Caring For Beautiful Hosta Plants

Shade Perennials

Hostas look in contrast with these perennial plants having different shapes, textures, and colorful flowers. Shade perennials good companion plants for Hostas, planting these companions in the border garden gives a wonderful glimpse.

Blue hydrangeas and pink spiky Astilbes look perfect with yellow and green vegetative Hostas.

Astilbes

Companion plants for hosta – Astibes

Astilbes are tidy and attract dark-green foliage. It has snowy midsummer flowers that have a fuzzy texture and colors range from white through pink, red and violent.

Heuchera

Heuchera is primarily grown for its bright and colorful foliage. They have varieties of foliage different in size, shape, and colors and also produce midsummer flowers that attract hummingbirds. The foliage comes in colors ranging from shiny burgundy to coopery orange and lime green.

Some other shade perennial:

• Daylilies
• Pulmonaria
• Hydrangeas

Perennial Geraniums

Perennial geraniums are the toughest foliage perennial you can grow. Though they like to grow in full sun, they can also grow equally well in partial shade.

The texture of the foliage has a lacy effect and grows loose and mounding. The foliage has a variety of colors ranging from white to pale pink flowers, maroon, magenta, and blue. Most varieties keep flowering on and off from late spring through the fall season.

Bleeding Heart

Photo source: Greg, Companion plants for hosta – Bleeding Heart

The hardy zone in 3-9. These tiny pink hearts known as bleeding hearts add a contrast like no other plant. Their soft and feathery leaves give softness to the wide and angular foliage of the hosta making a breathtaking combination.

Brunnera Macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’

Hardy in zones 3-8. These are clump-forming perennial plants. They have heart-shaped, dark green, and white foliage that spread with the hosta. They are shade and rabbit-tolerant, and sport blue flowers in the spring.

Hellebore

Photo source: Ruth Hartnup Companion plants for hosta – Hellebore

Cold Hardy in zones 4-9.

Hellebore is one of my favorite companions for hostas. They not only tolerate shade but love it. This perennial plant grows along with the size of hostas and rewards you with long-lasting flowers. They start growing when the show is on the ground and continue growing strong till the hostas start to clump out.

Annual Flowers

Annual flowering plants are a great choice to add a few colors between hostas.

Photo source: Peter Linehan Companion plants for hosta – Annual flowers

Some good options are.

Coleus

Some of the most eye-catching leaves can be found on Coleus plants, which come in a variety of vibrant hues. Leaf size and form variations are common in Coleus. As a result, no matter where you choose to plant coleus, you will be able to select one that is just right. You may use these plants in your yard (or house) to brighten up those gloomy, dreary areas.

Impatiens

Annual impatiens plants are a favorite because of their beautifully colored, abundant blooms and their capacity to thrive in shaded settings. White, pink, purple, red, coral, and yellow are just a few of the standard impatiens flower colors.

Begonias

Begonias are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are commonly used as flowers and in shady summer gardens. Asymmetrical, striped, and variegated foliage is the primary reason for growing certain plants, while colorful blossoms are used to brighten up dark regions. Begonias, despite their little size, provide a colorful and eye-catching punch.

Caladiums

Caladiums are the most famous foliage plants for gloomy or semi-shady gardens because of their huge, colorful leaves, many of which are bigger than the palm of your hand. The vibrant shades of red, white, pink, and green used on each leaf give the impression that they were painted by hand. If you have the correct circumstances, you may grow these South American species as summer bulbs or even houseplants in more moderate climates.

Learn How To Grow And Care For Coleus, Begonias, and caladium by clicking the above links

Under Shade Shrubs And Vines

Planting hostas with other low-maintenance shade perennials is an easy way to add variety and sophistication. So, you can grow shade perennials from scratch or if you have a shade garden, make some space to pair with hostas. Giving them strong and shade-tolerant companions.

Photo source: Peter Stenzel Companion plants for hosta – Shrubs

They bloom from the bushes as some extra color to your home garden.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons are found in finicky, preferring temperatures that are neither too hot nor very cold (Zones 5 to 8). A certain level of cooling is required for the development of robust flower buds. Rhododendrons need to be protected from the cold in the winter.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, which bloom in the spring and summer, are classified as shrubs because of their flowering time of year.  Hydrangeas may grow to a height of 15 feet in a single summer, which is impressive considering how rapidly they spread and fill up an area. Hydrangeas are perennials that thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 7. Hydrangea flowers may serve as the basis of your landscape since they bloom throughout the spring, summer, and even into early autumn.

Japanese Maples

In addition to being an eye-catching focal point, Japanese maple trees make excellent container plants and may be trained to develop into magnificent bonsai trees. Japanese maples occur in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, with leaves ranging from red, purple, and green to orange, and variegated in appearance.

Climbing Hydrangeas

Climbing hydrangeas are enormous, aromatic groups of white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer against a background of heart-shaped dark green leaves. It is easy for these enormous vines to cling to columns, trees, and any other kind of support. It’s possible to prune a climbing hydrangea plant down to a more manageable height of 30 to 80 feet (9-24 meters).

ALCHEMILLA (LADY’S MANTLE)

Alchemillas are spring-green leaves with zig-zac edges. They have silver hairs on the surface of the leaves that turn water droplets into jewels. In early summer, the lady’s mantle produces large clusters of tiny chartreuse flowers that are excellent for cutting.

Epimedium (Barrenwort)

Epimedium (hearts in nature) is another spring-blooming perennial that likes to take center while hostas are still growing up. It has heart-shaped foliage and delicate flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, and violet.

Euphorbia (Spurge)

This plant has a neat bounding habit. Their foliage is showier than their flowers. Foliage ranges from chocolate brown to burgundy, blue-green, orange, and chartreuse.

Lamium (spotted dead nettle)

“Lamium maculatum” is a lovely ground cover, you can use them to decorate the hostas’ edges. They have silver foliage and produce showy pink, purple or white flowers in late spring.

There are many beautiful cultivars such as “white Nancy” and “Purple Dragon”. Some of the Lamium is invasive so make sure you check the area occasionally otherwise it becomes difficult to control.

Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

Pulmonaria is another shade-loving plant with lovely foliage. During the summer the foliage is covered with clusters of flowers colored pink, blue, or purple, and sometimes the same as the plant’s color.

Tiarella (Foamflower)

Tiarella is another foliage plant that has similar foliage as heuchera but is not as flashy. It tolerates more heat and humidity than heuchera which makes them a good choice for the southern area. In late spring, it produces pale pink or creamy white bottle-brush flowers.

What’s your favorite plant?

Now I’d like to hear from you: which companion plants for Hostas, in today’s post are you going to try first?

Or maybe, I didn’t mention your favorite plant. Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now. Before going if you want to grow beautiful flowers in your garden? Then click on these articles also.

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Madhuresh

Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.