Just like everybody else, I had Hosta plants up north – that was over twenty-five years ago. Hosta were just normal “bread & butter” planting materials that could be found in practically all landscapes for good reason – so much variety, spectacular foliage, and even flowers. But once you arrived in Florida you had hopefully shaken off the plants of the past and embraced the new subtropical/tropical wonders now at your fingertips. But no, you insisted on having some type of Hosta that transcended the climate and was suitable even for zone 10! Enter the SunHosta™. SunHosta™ has been developed for full-sun exposure and year-round foliage due to low chilling requirements. Should you rethink your deep-seated need for a Hosta in your landscape?
SunHosta™ is a yellow-white and green variegated Hosta that has been developed to be used in full-sun to part-shade sites and can be grown within a wide range of Hardiness Zones – 4 to 10 – making this anomaly very versatile. Although sun tolerant, I think that a feasible translation of this endurance may best be practiced with full morning sun and then some afternoon shade for best sustained growth. Dappled shade at the edge of trees is also another good site as it relates to part-shade conditions. The only large planting of SunHosta™ that I have seen in Southwest Florida was found installed under the partial shade provided by a palm and a building in a small garden nook. Although spaced a bit too close, the thirty or so individual plants looked good and made a usefully ornamental display. SunHosta™ is noted to be very drought-tolerant once established. Provide some organic matter to the soil, but make sure that the planting area is well-drained.
Expect stems of showy lavender-white flowers to develop above the foliage during spring and summer months with SunHosta™. Full grown SunHosta™ can grow as tall as two feet tall and three feet wide over time developing into a pleasant mounding form. As such, plant this slow-growing dense Hosta twenty-four to thirty inches apart for mass plantings – give a little more space to allow for best individual plant displays. For small space gardens, consider SunHosta™ individual plants for containers on patios or decks.
SunHosta™ is one of those rare herbaceous perennials that breaks the mold and fits in multiple environments that ordinarily could not be imagined. So, if you cannot do without a Hosta, there is one of these perennials available at a garden center near you. Crave no more – SunHosta™ is here to save the day! For more information on all types of perennials, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Chodyla, B. (2009) Sun Hosta- Grower Talks. GroLink. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=17150.
HOMESTEAD GARDENS (2025) SunHosta™ Hosta – Plant Finder. https://plants.homesteadgardens.com/12170008/Plant/26624/SunHosta_Hosta/.
OldHouse.blog (2025) Florida Sun Hostas: 7 Varieties That Actually Survive Heat. https://oldhouse.blog/florida-sun-hostas-7-varieties-survive-heat.
Wilson Bros Gardens (2025) Sunhosta Hosta Lily. https://www.wilsonbrosgardens.com/hosta-sunhosta-1-gallon.html.
Plants by Mail (2025) SunHosta Hosta. https://plantsbymail.com/products/sunhosta-hosta.
Monrovia (2025) SunHosta™ Hosta. https://www.monrovia.com/sunhostatm-hosta-48875.html.
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