Hostas are loved for their lush foliage, but the right plant pairings can make them stand out even more. Some plants help hostas thrive, while others do the opposite.
Here’s a look at 26 perfect companion plants that bring out the best in hostas—plus 3 you should avoid. From shade-loving blooms to striking foliage contrasts, these picks will add beauty and balance to your garden while keeping your hostas happy.
1. Astilbe
In the realm of shade gardening, texture is key. Astilbe brings feathery elegance next to the broad leaves of hostas. These plants, with their plume-like flowers, add a soft, romantic touch to any garden bed. Astilbe thrives in the same moisture-rich conditions hostas love, making them natural companions.
Astilbes prefer partial to full shade, aligning perfectly with hosta environments. They attract beneficial insects, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem. For a captivating garden space, mix and match different astilbe varieties with your hostas.
2. Ferns
A shaded garden wouldn’t be complete without ferns, renowned for their airy fronds. The intricate leaves of ferns contrast beautifully with the bold foliage of hostas. They thrive in low-light conditions, making them ideal companions for hostas.
Ferns are low maintenance and require similar soil and water conditions to hostas. This compatibility ensures they flourish together, creating a lush, green tapestry. Incorporate different fern species to add depth and interest to your shaded areas.
3. Heuchera
Colorful foliage can transform a garden, and Heuchera is the perfect choice for adding vibrancy. Known as coral bells, Heuchera offers leaves in various hues that complement hostas beautifully. Their compact size makes them excellent for garden borders and underplanting.
Heuchera’s fine-textured leaves contrast with the bold hosta leaves, offering visual interest. Besides their ornamental appeal, they also attract pollinators when in bloom. For a dynamic garden, plant different Heuchera varieties to showcase an array of colors.
4. Bleeding Heart
Delicate yet striking, the bleeding heart plant captivates with its arching stems and heart-shaped blooms. These flowers add an enchanting flair to any shaded garden, pairing beautifully with hostas. Bleeding hearts thrive in the cool, moist conditions that hostas love.
Their blooms, ranging from pink to white, create a charming contrast against the green hosta backdrop. As spring bloomers, they provide early-season interest before hostas reach their full glory. Plant them where they can show off their cascading flowers amidst the sturdy hosta leaves.
5. Brunnera
For a splash of blue in your garden, Brunnera is unmatched. Often called Siberian bugloss, it features tiny blue flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots. These flowers appear in spring, providing early color alongside emerging hostas.
Brunnera thrives in similar conditions, enjoying shade and moisture-rich soil. Their heart-shaped leaves offer a subtle contrast to the bold hosta foliage. They are low maintenance, making them a delightful addition for any gardener. Incorporate Brunnera for a pop of color and texture variety in your hosta garden.
6. Japanese Forest Grass
Graceful and understated, Japanese Forest Grass adds movement and texture to shaded landscapes. This ornamental grass, with its arching leaves, contrasts beautifully with the solid hosta foliage. It thrives in shade and complements hostas by adding a unique texture.
The soft golden hues of Japanese Forest Grass catch dappled light, creating a serene garden atmosphere. It’s low maintenance, requiring similar care to hostas. Use it as a ground cover or to edge pathways for a cohesive design. Pair with hostas for a harmonious and visually appealing garden.
7. Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria, or lungwort, is a charming plant with distinctive spotted leaves. Its clusters of purple-blue flowers bring a delightful splash of color to shaded gardens. Pulmonaria thrives in the same conditions as hostas, favoring cool, moist environments.
Their spotted leaves provide a playful contrast to the solid green of hostas. As early bloomers, they offer color before many other plants awaken. Pulmonaria attracts pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. Plant them with hostas for a low-maintenance and colorful garden scene.
8. Lungwort
Texture and color are well-served by lungwort, a plant known for its speckled leaves and soft flowers. While visually similar to pulmonaria, lungwort offers a different pastel palette, enhancing garden diversity. Lungwort thrives in the same shaded, moist conditions as hostas.
Its speckled foliage provides interest, creating a unique look among your hostas. Lungwort blooms in early spring, allowing a staggered display of color with hostas. Their ability to attract pollinators makes them a beneficial addition. Pair lungwort with hostas for a well-rounded, inviting garden.
9. Trillium
Native to woodland environments, Trillium adds a touch of the wild to your garden. Its three-petal flowers are a classic sign of spring. Trillium thrives in shaded areas, much like hostas, making them excellent companions. Their delicate white blooms contrast with the bold hosta leaves, creating a natural and serene look.
Trilliums are low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. For an authentic woodland feel, plant trillium in groups among your hostas. This combination offers varying textures and forms, enriching your garden’s biodiversity.
10. Virginia Bluebells
Virginia Bluebells are a spring favorite, known for their clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers. They thrive in the same cool, shaded environments that hostas prefer. These plants create a stunning display of color when planted alongside the expansive leaves of hostas. Their delicate blooms add a whimsical touch to any garden setting.
Virginia Bluebells are low maintenance, requiring similar conditions as hostas, making them easy to integrate. For a magical spring display, plant them in groups with hostas, creating patches of blue and green throughout your garden.
11. Solomon’s Seal
Elegance defines Solomon’s Seal, a plant with arching stems and delicate white flowers. These graceful plants thrive in shaded gardens, complementing hostas perfectly. Their arching form provides a contrast to the rounded leaves of hostas. Solomon’s Seal enjoys the same moist, rich soil conditions, ensuring compatibility.
As they mature, they create a natural woodland look alongside hostas. For a sophisticated garden, plant them in drifts next to hostas, enhancing the visual flow. Their understated charm and ease of care make them an excellent companion plant.
12. Toad Lily
Late-season interest is crucial for a continuous garden display, and Toad Lily fits the bill. Known for its unique speckled flowers, Toad Lily adds exotic flair to shaded gardens. This plant thrives under the same conditions as hostas, ensuring easy integration.
The intriguing flowers of Toad Lily bloom in late summer to fall, extending the garden’s visual appeal. Its delicate, orchid-like flowers stand out against the lush hosta leaves. For a captivating garden, plant Toad Lilies in clusters with hostas, providing color when many other plants are past their peak.
13. Hellebore
Hellebores, often called Lenten rose, are cherished for their early blooms. These plants thrive in the same shaded, moist conditions as hostas, making them ideal partners. Their flowers, ranging from white to deep purple, appear in late winter or early spring. Hellebores provide color before many other plants awaken, filling the garden with life.
Their evergreen foliage complements the large leaves of hostas, offering year-round interest. For a dynamic garden, plant hellebores with hostas, ensuring a sequence of blooms and foliage through the seasons.
14. Anemone
Anemones, known for their delicate flowers, are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to shaded gardens. These plants thrive in similar conditions as hostas, enjoying cool, moist environments. Their white blooms provide a striking contrast against the green hosta backdrop. Anemones bloom in late summer to fall, extending the garden’s color season.
Their simple, daisy-like flowers add charm and grace. Plant them with hostas for a seamless blend of blooms and foliage. This combination offers a continuous display of beauty throughout the growing season, enhancing any shaded garden.
15. Epimedium
For a ground cover that adds charm, Epimedium is a top choice. Known for its heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers, Epimedium thrives in shaded gardens. These plants prefer similar conditions to hostas, making them compatible companions. Epimedium’s tiny blooms appear in spring, offering early interest alongside emerging hostas.
Their foliage, which can be evergreen, contrasts with the large hosta leaves. For a lush, textured ground layer, plant Epimedium with your hostas. They provide a captivating blend of form and function in any shaded garden.
16. Ajuga
Ground covers like Ajuga play a vital role in garden design. Known for its colorful foliage and flower spikes, Ajuga thrives in the shaded, moist conditions hostas love. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for underplanting with hostas, providing a carpet of color.
Ajuga flowers in the spring, with purple-blue spikes adding a pop of color. The dark foliage contrasts beautifully with hosta leaves, enhancing visual interest. For a low-maintenance garden, use Ajuga as a ground cover with hostas, creating a cohesive and vibrant landscape.
17. Lily of the Valley
Fragrance and charm define the Lily of the Valley, a classic shade garden plant. Known for its dainty white flowers, this plant thrives in the same conditions as hostas. Its sweet scent and delicate blooms make it a beloved choice among gardeners.
Lily of the Valley blooms in late spring, offering a fragrant display among hostas. The small, bell-shaped flowers provide a lovely contrast to the large hosta leaves. Plant them in groups for maximum impact, creating a scented oasis in your shaded garden.
18. Primrose
Add a splash of color to your garden with Primrose, known for its cheerful blooms. These plants thrive in partial shade, making them ideal companions for hostas. Primrose flowers in early spring, offering a burst of color when few other plants are in bloom.
Their vibrant flowers complement the lush green of hostas, creating a lively garden display. Primrose is easy to grow, requiring similar care to hostas. For a colorful and inviting garden, plant Primrose in clusters with hostas, ensuring a dynamic and engaging landscape.
19. Foxglove
Majestic and eye-catching, Foxglove brings vertical interest to shaded gardens. Known for their tall flower spikes, Foxgloves thrive alongside hostas in partial shade. These plants offer a striking contrast with their tubular flowers towering over hosta foliage.
Foxgloves bloom in late spring to early summer, providing a dramatic focal point. Their height and color add depth to the garden, enhancing visual appeal. For a stunning garden display, plant Foxgloves with hostas, creating layers of interest and diversity in texture.
20. Columbine
Columbine adds an air of whimsy to any garden with its delicate, nodding flowers. These plants thrive in similar conditions to hostas, enjoying shaded, moist environments. Columbine’s unique blooms create a delightful contrast with the broad leaves of hostas.
Their spring blossoms come in a variety of colors, offering a palette for garden design. Columbine attracts pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. For a playful and vibrant garden, plant Columbine among hostas, creating a dynamic and lively landscape.
21. Barrenwort
Barrenwort, with its heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers, offers charm and durability. This plant thrives in shaded gardens, much like hostas, making them ideal companions. Barrenwort’s foliage provides year-round interest, contrasting with hosta leaves.
Their small, yellow flowers appear in spring, adding subtle color to the garden. Barrenwort is low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. For a robust and attractive ground cover, plant Barrenwort with hostas, ensuring a garden that’s both appealing and easy to maintain.
22. Coral Bells
Coral Bells, or Heuchera, are renowned for their vibrant foliage that ranges from deep purples to bright lime greens. These perennial plants add a splash of color and texture, perfectly balancing the lush leaves of hostas.
They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, aligning well with hosta growing conditions. The delicate flower spikes add vertical interest, attracting pollinators to the garden. With their variety of colors, Coral Bells offer endless design possibilities, making them a versatile choice for enhancing a hosta garden.
23. Bergenia
Bergenia, often called elephant’s ears, offers a bold contrast to hostas with its large, glossy leaves. In spring, it blooms with striking pink flowers that add a splash of color beneath trees or in shaded borders. This perennial is hardy and low-maintenance, making it an ideal partner for hostas.
It thrives in similar soil and light conditions, creating a cohesive garden look. Gardeners appreciate Bergenia for its year-round interest, as its leaves often turn reddish-bronze in the fall, providing a seasonal appeal.
24. Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese Painted Fern is a delicate addition to any hosta garden, known for its silvery fronds with hints of purple and green. Its ethereal appearance provides a light, airy contrast to the dense foliage of hostas. This fern thrives in shady areas, making it a perfect companion.
Its unique coloring adds depth and interest, particularly in a woodland garden setting. Incorporating Japanese Painted Ferns can elevate the aesthetic of a garden, offering both texture and color variations that complement hostas beautifully.
25. Tiarella
This plant thrives alongside hostas, enjoying similar cool, moist conditions. Tiarella’s star-shaped flowers add a touch of whimsy to the garden, creating a playful contrast with hosta leaves.
Their blooms appear in spring, providing early-season interest. Tiarella is low maintenance and serves as an attractive ground cover. For a textured and colorful garden, plant Tiarella with hostas, enhancing the visual appeal and creating a lush, inviting landscape.
26. Jacob’s Ladder
For a touch of elegance, Jacob’s Ladder is a perfect choice. Known for its ladder-like leaves and clusters of blue flowers, this plant thrives in shaded areas. Jacob’s Ladder complements hostas beautifully with its unique foliage and blooms.
The blue flowers add a pop of color, contrasting with the broad green hosta leaves. Jacob’s Ladder requires similar care to hostas, making it easy to integrate into your garden.
27. Black Walnut Tree – The Silent Killer
This tree doesn’t just throw shade—it releases juglone, a toxin that’s basically a death sentence for many plants, including hostas.
Even if you plant them a few feet away, the toxins can spread through the soil and stunt or kill your leafy friends. If you already have a black walnut in your yard, keep your hostas far, far away.
28. Lavender – The Sun Worshipper
Lavender loves full sun and dry soil, which is basically the opposite of what hostas need. Plant them together, and someone’s going to be unhappy—spoiler alert: it’ll be your hostas.
They’ll struggle in the bright sun while lavender thrives, leaving you with one happy plant and one sad, droopy mess.
29. English Ivy – The Space Invader
English ivy looks innocent, but don’t be fooled—it’s an aggressive spreader that will climb, sprawl, and smother anything in its path, including hostas.
Since hostas don’t grow fast enough to fight back, ivy will steal all the nutrients, water, and space, leaving your hostas gasping for survival.