18 Types of Hostas Varieties for Your Garden Collection

Types of hostas come to mind for the first time; you likely think of the classic green varieties. But there are so many uncommon hostas of the Asparagaceae family with striking colors, leaf patterns, and growth habits waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking to add some color, texture, or just something different, these uncommon hostas will bring a refreshing update to your garden space.

From mini hostas to exotic giant varieties, we’ll cover hostas with blue, yellow, and variegated leaves, so read on to find your new favorite hosta, one that you’ve likely never seen before!

Types of Hostas Varieties Worth Trying in Your Garden

1. Blue Angel

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Heart-shaped, Simple
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist soil
Common pest: Slugs, Aphids

Blue Angel is a classic miniature hosta with wonderfully gorgeous vibrant blue leaves. The heart-shaped leaves emerge a stunning blue color in spring and stay that beautiful blue hue throughout the entire growing season. Blue Angel rarely exceeds six inches tall and slowly spreads outward to carefully form a dense and clustered clump.

It truly thrives in shady areas and moist, rich, and organic soil. The fragrant white flowers in summer are a splendid bonus attraction. Although generally pest-free, slugs and aphids may frequently feed on delicate leaves, so check the plant carefully and regularly, then remove the pests by hand. This hosta plant can be easily transplanted.

2. Frances Williams

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Wavy, Pointed
Specific needs: Partial Shade, Rich Soil
Common pest: Spider Mites, Fungus Gnats

Frances Williams is a strikingly stunning hosta with beautifully deep gold, wavy leaves that have a slightly bluish cast. The leaves have a thickly puckered texture and pointed tips. In spring, the leaves emerge a lime green color before becoming a brighter yellow.

Frances Williams grows 20 to 24 inches tall and forms a thickly dense clump up to two feet wide. It requires consistently moist, well-draining soil and partial shade to truly bring out its brilliantly bright coloration. However, spider mites and fungus gnats may be problematic when the growing conditions become too warm and dry.

3. Hosta ‘Plantaginea’

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Lance-shaped, Wavy
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: None

Hosta ‘Plantaginea’ is an elegantly refined laceleaf hosta with narrowly long and narrow, lance-shaped leaves that beautifully have margins that are gently rolled under. The leaves gracefully emerge a blue-green color in spring and mature to a gray-green color with lovely hints of gold subtly along the margins. All hosta plants are toxic to dogs and cats so make sure to keep them in a place that cannot get eaten.

Hosta ‘Plantaginea’ graciously grows to approximately 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, elegantly forming a thickly dense mound. It wonderfully prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil and full shade. The delicately thin leaves beautifully tend to be resistant to most pests and make Hosta ‘Plantaginea’ a classically exquisite choice for shaded perennial borders and containers.

4. August Moon

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Lance-shaped, Simple
Specific needs: Shade, Rich Soil
Common pest: None

August Moon hosta has beautifully bright blue, narrow leaves that stay vividly colorful all season long. The leaves wonderfully exhibit light blue in spring and gradually darken to a moderately medium blue as they fully mature. Make sure to protect them from deer if you decide to plant them in your garden.

August Moon gracefully grows 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads 18 to 24 inches wide, superbly forming a thickly dense clump. This beautiful hosta prefers consistently moist, rich, organic soil and full shade.

The leaves have a thick wax coating that naturally helps resist most pests and leaf drops, so August Moon frequently remains virtually pest-free. Its vibrantly bright blue foliage wonderfully makes August Moon.

5. Blue Mouse

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Oval, Rippled edges
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Slugs, Aphids

Blue Mouse hosta has stunningly beautiful blue-gray, rippling, wavy leaves that closely resemble a cartoon mouse’s ears. The blue coloration is vividly bright and reliably consistent all season long. Blue Mouse grows only six to nine inches tall but slowly spreads outward to carefully form a broadly wide clump of about 15 inches in diameter.

It is a perfectly ideal miniature hosta selection for the front of shady borders. Blue Mouse truly thrives in moist, well-draining rich, and organic soil. The fragile leaves are especially prone to damage from slugs and aphids, so carefully watch for early warning signs of an infestation, then promptly remove pests by hand.

Regardless of some minor pest issues, Blue Mouse’s charmingly cute leaf pattern and saturated blue color wonderfully make it a truly beloved miniature hosta.

6. Empress Wu

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Heart-shaped, Flat
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Spider Mites, Aphids

Empress Wu hosta has attractively beautiful heart-shaped leaves with gorgeously stunning gold and green variegation. The leaves gracefully emerge green in spring and slowly develop shiny golden streaks and spotted splotches as they fully mature.

Empress Wu superbly grows 18 to 24 inches tall and widely spreads 24 to 36 inches wide. Ideally, it prefers moist, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and partial to full shade. Empress Wu’s broadly showy leaves sometimes attract spider mites and aphids in warm, muggy weather. Regularly check the undersides of leaves frequently and promptly wash pests away with a powerful, strong jet of water.

The spectacularly variegated foliage of Empress Wu makes it absolutely worth the occasional pest management. Plant Empress Wu, where its handsomely showy leaves will be front and center stage in your shady garden.

7. Golden Tiara

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Broad, Ruffled
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Spider Mites, Aphids

Golden Tiara hosta has brightly luminous golden leaves with beautifully ruffled edges. The leaves gracefully emerge a lime green color in spring and promptly mature to a golden yellow hue. Golden Tiara splendidly grows 24 to 30 inches tall and widely spreads up to three feet wide.

The broadly showy leaves wonderfully make quite a statement in shaded gardens. This beautiful hosta ideally prefers consistently moist, nutrient-rich, and well-draining soil and full shade. Spider mites and aphids sometimes specially target Golden Tiara’s large, expansive leaves, especially in hot, muggy weatherCheck the leaves frequently and wash the undersides with a strong stream of water to control pests.

Despite occasional pest issues, Golden Tiaras dazzling golden foliage and dramatic ruffles make it a standout selection for shady landscape beds.

8. American Halo

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Heart-shaped, Flat
Specific needs: Partial shade, Rich Soil
Common pest: Slugs, Snails

American Halo hosta has extraordinarily large, nearly round heart-shaped leaves with an iridescently shining blue-green center and creamy white margins. The leaves gracefully emerge a bright lime green color in spring and naturally develop their stunningly beautiful two-toned hue as they fully mature.

American Halo beautifully grows 24 to 30 inches tall and widely spreads three to four feet wide. It ideally prefers rich, consistently moist, and nutrient-rich soil and full shade. Slugs and snails may occasionally cause some damage to the thick, sturdy leaves of American Halo, especially soon after emergence in spring. Carefully check plants at night and promptly remove the culprit slugs and snails by hand.

Regardless of occasional minor damage, the incredibly eye-catching variegated foliage of American Halo makes it an awesomely stunning addition to shaded garden spaces, especially when skillfully combined with other brightly colored hostas.

9. Royal Standard

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Tall, Narrow, Pointed
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Spider Mites, Fungus Gnats

Royal Standard hosta has gorgeously stunning bluish leaves that beautifully emerge golden yellow in spring. The leaves promptly mature to a brightly luminous blue color and reliably remain that hue all season long.

Royal Standard majestically grows three to four feet tall and two to three feet wide with a tall, upright, and vertical habit. This wonderfully makes it a perfectly ideal choice for the back of shaded borders. Royal Standard ideally prefers consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil and full shade. Its tall, expansive leaves sometimes attract spider mites and fungus gnats in warm, muggy weather.

Frequently check leaves and promptly wash mites away with a powerfully strong spray of water. Fungus gnats can be sustainably managed with yellow sticky glue traps. While occasional pest issues must be regularly managed, Royal Standard’s height, upright habit, and vibrantly bright blue foliage truly make it a rightfully royal addition to any shaded landscape.

10. Blue Mouse Ears

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Ruffled, Heart-Shaped
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Aphids, Slugs

Blue Mouse Ears hosta has daringly precious heart-shaped leaves with beautifully ruffled, wavy, rippled edges and vibrantly bright blue coloring. The leaves gracefully emerge a lighter green color in spring and fully mature to a deeper blue hue by summer.

Blue Mouse Ears neatly grows only six to eight inches tall and slowly spreads 12 to 15 inches wide, wonderfully making it a perfectly ideal miniature hosta. This dwarfishly small hosta ideally prefers rich, consistently moist, and organic soil and full shade. Blue Mouse Ears’ petite and small leaves are especially prone to damage from aphids and slugs, especially soon after emergence in spring.

Regularly check plants frequently and promptly remove pests by hand. Even with occasional minor pest issues, Blue Mouse Ears’ adorably cute leaf shape and deep blue coloration splendidly make it a charmingly delightful addition to the front of shaded garden beds.

11. Brother Stefan

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Oblong, Lanceolate
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: None

Brother Stefan hosta has narrow, oblong oval leaves with rippling wavy edges and blue-green coloration. The leaves gracefully emerge a lighter green color in spring and beautifully develop a strikingly stunning blue tint by summer.

Brother Stefan grows 24 to 30 inches tall magnificently and spreads two to three feet wide. Its uprightly vertical habit makes it perfectly ideal for the middle of shaded borders. Ideally, This beautiful hosta prefers rich, consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The thick, sturdy leaves of Brother Stefan naturally tend to be resistant to most pests.

When ideally grown in perfect conditions, it frequently remains virtually pest-free all season long. Brother Stefan’s tall stature, distinctively, rippling rippled foliage, and lovely blue-green hue wonderfully make it a delightfully stunning addition to shaded landscapes.

12. Dancing Queen

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Vase-Shaped, Simple
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Aphids, Spider mites

Dancing Queen hosta has extraordinarily large, vase-shaped rounded green leaves with wavy, rippling margins. The leaves gracefully emerge pale green in spring and fully mature to a darker and deeper green color. Dancing Queen magnificently grows 24 to 30 inches tall and widely spreads three to four feet wide, superbly forming a thickly dense clump.

Ideally, it prefers rich, consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The broadly wide leaves of Dancing Queen sometimes attract aphids, especially during hot, humid summers. Frequently check the underside surfaces of leaves and promptly wash away aphids with a powerfully strong jet of water. If needed, apply organic insecticidal soap products as a last-resort solution.

Regardless of occasional minor aphid issues, Dancing Queen’s massively enormous size, rippling wavy leaves, and abundantly many summer flowers truly make it a show-stopping spectacular selection for the middle of shaded perennial borders.

13. Komodo Dragon

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Variegated, Wedges
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: None

Komodo Dragon hosta has thickly heavy, waxy coated leaves that beautifully emerge a deeply dark purple color in spring and fully mature to a green and golden yellow variegated pattern. The leaves splendidly eventually develop reddish margins as they age. Komodo Dragon majestically grows three to four feet tall and three to five feet wide, extraordinarily forming a massively massive mound.

This type of hostas ideally prefers rich, consistently moist, and nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The thick, waxy leaves of Komodo Dragon naturally tend to resist most pests, so it frequently remains virtually pest-free all season long. Komodo Dragon’s enormously huge size, stunningly beautiful variegated color, and dramatically red leaf margins truly make it a show-stopping spectacular selection for expansively large shaded gardens.

Splendidly plant Komodo Dragon toward the center or back of a shaded border where its massively giant leaves can make the biggest visually striking impact.

14. Autumn Frost

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Variegated, Wedges
Specific needs: Partial shade, Rich Soil
Common pest: Spider Mites, Aphids

Autumn Frost hosta has broadly wide, triangularly shaped leaves that gracefully emerge pale green in spring before beautifully developing lovely gold and white variegation. Autumn Frost superbly grows 24 to 30 inches tall and two to three feet wide, splendidly forming a thickly dense mound.

It ideally prefers rich, consistently moist, and nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The broadly expansive, strikingly showy leaves of Autumn Frost sometimes attract spider mites, especially in hot, humid weather. Frequently check the underside surfaces of leaves and promptly wash away mites with a powerfully strong spray of water.

As needed, apply organic insecticidal soap products to naturally curb ongoing mite issues. Regardless of occasional minor pest issues, Autumn Frost’s wonderfully lovely name, strikingly stunning variegated foliage, and vibrantly luminous golden color truly make it a rightfully deserving choice for shaded landscapes.

15. Paul’s Glory

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Variegated , Round
Specific needs: Partial shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Aphids, Spider Mites

Paul’s Glory hosta has thickly heavy, sturdily rigid round leaves with dazzlingly shining gold, white and green variegation. The leaves gracefully emerge green in spring before beautifully developing their uniquely distinct color pattern. Paul’s Glory majestically grows 24 to 30 inches tall and three to four feet wide, splendidly forming a thickly dense clump.

This beautiful hosta ideally prefers consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The broadly expansive, strikingly showy leaves of Paul’s Glory sometimes attract pests like aphids and spider mites, especially in hot, muggy weather. Regularly check leaves frequently and promptly wash off pests with a powerfully strong spray of water.

As needed, apply organic insecticidal soap products to skillfully manage ongoing infestations. Regardless of occasional minor pest issues, Paul’s Glory’s aptly rightfully glorious variegated leaves wonderfully make it an absolutely essential must-have for shade gardens.

16. Praying Hands

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Variegated, Lobed
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: None

Praying Hands hosta has stunningly beautiful pale blue-green leaves with creamily white margins and lobes that closely resemble clasped folded hands. The leaves gracefully emerge lime green in spring and naturally gradually develop their two-toned hue coloration.

Praying Hands neatly grows 18 to 24 inches tall and widely spreads two to three feet wide, splendidly forming a thickly dense clump. This distinctively different hosta ideally prefers consistently moist, nutrient-rich, and well-draining soil and full shade.

The thick, waxy leaves of Praying Hands tend to resist most pests, so it frequently remains virtually pest-free throughout the entire growing season.

Splendidly plant Praying Hands where its uniquely variegated foliage and devotional honorific name can rightly serve as a focal point in your shaded landscape. Regardless of your spiritual or religious affiliation, this hosta’s natural innate beauty truly cannot be denied or disputed.

17. Stained Glass

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Variegated, Jagged
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: None

Stained Glass hosta has uniquely distinctively patterned leaves that closely resemble visually colorful stained glass windows. The leaves gracefully emerge a pale green color in spring before beautifully developing patches and streaks of gold, white and gray. Stained Glass majestically grows 24 to 30 inches tall and widely spreads three to four feet wide.

It ideally prefers rich, consistently moist, and nutrient-rich soil and full shade. The thickly heavy, waxy-coated leaves of Stained Glass naturally tend to resist most pests, so it usually frequently remains virtually pest-free throughout the entire growing season. Splendidly plant Stained Glass near an entryway or garden sitting place where its stunningly variegated foliage can be admired up closely in person.

Even from a faraway distance, Stained Glass’s unusually distinctively patterned leaves will create the visibly striking illusion of shining light brightly shining through a beautifully hued stained glass window in your shaded landscape.

18. Wide Brim

Growing season: Spring, Fall
Leaf shape: Heart-Shaped, Variegated
Specific needs: Shade, Moist Soil
Common pest: Aphids, Spider Mites

Wide Brim hosta has broadly expansive, pale green leaves with creamy white margins. The leaves gracefully emerge a light green color in spring and naturally develop their two-toned hue as they fully mature. Wide Brim superbly grows 18 to 24 inches tall and spreads two to three feet wide, splendidly forming a roundedly shaped mound clump.

This beautiful hosta ideally prefers consistently moist, nutrient-rich, and well-draining soil and full shade. The broadly wide leaves of Wide Brim sometimes attract pests like aphids and spider mites. Regularly check leaves frequently, then promptly spray off pests with a strongly powerful stream of water. As needed, apply organic insecticidal soap products to control infestations sustainably.

When ideally grown in perfect conditions, Wide Brim’s creamily-edged foliage wonderfully makes it a lovely accent plant for shaded gardens. Its leaves’ widely expansively wide, sweepingly rounded shape also evokes the brim of a sun hat – a perfectly fitting name for this charmingly delightful hosta.

Conclusion

Though hostas are often associated with classic green varieties, there are so many other types with stunning colors, patterns, and shapes to discover. Here are some of the important points to keep in mind regarding different types of Hostas:

Komodo Dragon hosta has thickly heavy, waxy coated leaves that beautifully emerge a deeply dark purple color in spring and fully mature to a green and golden yellow variegated pattern.

Royal Standard hosta has gorgeously stunning bluish leaves that beautifully emerge golden yellow in spring.

Frances Williams is a strikingly stunning hosta with beautifully deep gold, wavy leaves that have a slightly bluish cast.

Blue Angel is a classic miniature hosta with wonderfully gorgeous vibrant blue leaves.

Whether you crave more color, unique patterns, or different textures, there is a unique hosta out there waiting to bring you joy, so don’t be afraid to experiment beyond the traditional to find the hostas that speak to you. Over time you’ll develop your own collection of favorites – hostas that bring you happiness every time you catch a glimpse of their beautiful leaves. Check out these plants that are similar to hosta plants.