Hostas are the unsung heroes of the shade garden.
Their lush, leafy presence provides a beautiful backdrop, and they’re versatile enough to complement a variety of plants.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless plant combinations, and I’ve learned that choosing the right companions for hostas can elevate your garden to new heights.
The right pairing not only highlights the hostas’ natural beauty but also brings out the best in their neighbors.
In this article, I’ll share the 14 best plants to pair with hostas, based on my own experiences and tips for getting the most out of these partnerships.
1. Astilbe
Astilbe is a stunning companion for hostas, offering a beautiful contrast with its feathery plumes that rise above the broad, smooth leaves of the hosta.
The delicate, upright flowers of astilbe, which come in shades of pink, white, and red, add height and texture to the garden.
What I love about this combination is the way the soft, airy look of astilbe plays against the more solid, grounded feel of the hostas.
In my garden, I’ve planted bright pink astilbes alongside deep green hostas, and the result is a balanced display that captures the eye.
Plus, astilbes thrive in the same moist, shaded conditions that hostas love, making them an easy-care pairing.
2. Ferns
Ferns and hostas are a match made in gardening heaven.
Both thrive in shade and add a lush, woodland feel to the garden.
Ferns, with their delicate, lacy fronds, provide the perfect textural contrast to the broad, bold leaves of hostas.
In my experience, combining different varieties of ferns—like the taller ostrich fern with the more compact maidenhair fern—creates layers of greenery that give depth to the garden bed.
This combination works particularly well in areas where you want to create a natural, relaxed look, reminiscent of a forest floor.
Hostas and ferns together create a peaceful, cool oasis in the garden.
3. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is one of my favorite plants to pair with hostas.
Their vibrant, often colorful foliage adds a pop of color that contrasts beautifully with the solid green or variegated leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve found that purple and bronze heucheras work especially well with light green or blue hosta varieties.
The bright, bell-shaped flowers of heuchera, while delicate, also add a nice vertical element to the garden.
Both hostas and heucheras thrive in partial to full shade, so they’re natural companions that complement each other’s beauty.
4. Tiarella (Foamflower)
Tiarella is another fantastic companion plant for hostas, especially if you’re looking to add some seasonal interest.
Tiarellas are known for their beautiful springtime blooms, which resemble tiny foam-like flowers that rise above the foliage on slender stems.
What I love most about pairing tiarella with hostas is the way their finely textured leaves and flowers contrast with the large, smooth leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve placed tiarellas at the front of my hosta beds, where their delicate blooms can take center stage in the spring before the hostas fully leaf out.
The result is a dynamic, layered display that evolves throughout the growing season.
5. Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Pulmonaria, commonly known as lungwort, is an ideal companion for hostas due to its striking foliage and early spring blooms.
Pulmonaria leaves often feature silvery spots or streaks, creating a striking contrast against the deep green or blue leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve found that the small, bell-shaped flowers of pulmonaria, which range from pink to blue, add an early burst of color just as the hostas are emerging from their winter dormancy.
The combination of hostas and pulmonaria creates a garden bed that’s both visually appealing and practical, as both plants thrive in similar shaded, moist environments.
6. Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)
Brunnera is a shade-loving perennial with heart-shaped leaves and delicate, forget-me-not-like blue flowers.
The foliage of brunnera, especially the variegated varieties, pairs beautifully with the bold leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve planted brunnera near hostas with solid green or blue leaves, allowing the silver-marked brunnera foliage to stand out.
The bright blue flowers of brunnera in spring are an added bonus, providing early-season color that complements the fresh growth of the hostas.
Brunnera thrives in similar conditions to hostas, making it an easy and rewarding companion.
7. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
Japanese forest grass, or Hakonechloa, is one of the best grasses to grow alongside hostas.
Its graceful, arching leaves add movement and texture to a garden bed, contrasting nicely with the bold, sturdy hosta leaves.
I’ve planted golden Hakonechloa around the edges of my hosta beds, where the bright yellow-green blades create a stunning contrast with the darker green hosta leaves.
This combination creates a serene, flowing look that softens the overall feel of the garden, making it feel like a calm, shaded retreat.
Both plants thrive in partial to full shade, and the grass adds a bit of airiness to balance the density of the hostas.
8. Trillium
Trillium is a native woodland plant that makes a perfect companion for hostas in shaded garden beds.
Trillium’s three-petaled flowers and lush green foliage bring a touch of wild, woodland beauty to the garden, contrasting beautifully with the broad leaves of hostas.
In my experience, planting trillium alongside hostas creates a naturalistic, woodland feel that’s perfect for shaded areas of the garden.
Trillium blooms in early spring, providing color and interest before the hostas fully leaf out.
As both plants thrive in similar moist, shaded environments, they make excellent companions that complement each other’s growth patterns.
9. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Bleeding heart is another shade-loving perennial that pairs beautifully with hostas.
Its delicate, heart-shaped flowers hang from arching stems, creating a soft, romantic look that contrasts with the bold, substantial leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve planted pink and white bleeding hearts near my blue hostas, and the combination is stunning.
Bleeding heart blooms in early spring, providing a splash of color before the hostas reach their full size.
Once the bleeding heart finishes blooming and starts to die back in the summer heat, the hostas take over, keeping the garden bed full and lush.
This natural succession keeps the garden looking fresh and interesting throughout the growing season.
10. Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Hellebores are one of the earliest bloomers in the garden, often flowering in late winter or early spring, even when there’s still snow on the ground.
Their leathery, evergreen foliage pairs beautifully with hostas, creating a combination that looks great year-round.
In my garden, I’ve found that hellebores provide a lovely contrast with hostas, especially when planted in groups around the base of taller hosta varieties.
The hellebores’ downward-facing flowers, in shades of pink, white, and purple, add a subtle elegance to the garden.
Hellebores and hostas thrive in similar conditions, making them an easy-care combination that adds year-round interest to the garden.
11. Lamium (Deadnettle)
Lamium, or deadnettle, is a fast-growing ground cover that pairs beautifully with hostas, especially in shady garden beds.
The silver-variegated leaves of lamium provide a striking contrast to the solid green or blue leaves of hostas, while its small, delicate flowers add an extra touch of color.
In my garden, I’ve used lamium as a filler around the edges of my hosta beds, where it helps to cover the ground and prevent weeds from taking hold.
Lamium’s spreading habit helps to fill in the gaps between hostas without overwhelming them, creating a cohesive, layered look that works well in shaded areas.
12. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)
Solomon’s seal is another excellent companion for hostas, especially if you’re looking to add some height and elegance to your garden bed.
The arching stems of Solomon’s seal, with their delicate, bell-shaped flowers, create a graceful contrast to the dense, rounded foliage of hostas.
In my experience, planting Solomon’s seal alongside hostas adds a vertical element to the garden, drawing the eye upward and creating a more dynamic display.
Both plants thrive in shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil, making them natural companions that complement each other’s growth habits.
13. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga, or bugleweed, is a low-growing ground cover that works well with hostas, especially in shaded garden beds.
Ajuga’s deep purple or bronze foliage contrasts beautifully with the green and blue tones of hostas, while its spikes of blue flowers add a pop of color in the spring.
In my garden, I’ve used ajuga to fill in around the base of hostas, where it helps to suppress weeds and create a more cohesive look.
Ajuga spreads quickly, but it’s not invasive, making it a great choice for filling in gaps between larger plants like hostas.
This combination works especially well in areas where you want to create a full, lush garden bed with minimal effort.
14. Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese painted fern is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that pairs perfectly with hostas in shaded areas.
Its silvery-green fronds with hints of purple provide a striking contrast to the bold, broad leaves of hostas.
In my garden, I’ve found that the combination of Japanese painted ferns and hostas creates a cool, serene atmosphere that’s perfect for shaded garden beds.
Both plants thrive in similar conditions, and the contrast between the ferns’ delicate fronds and the hostas’ large leaves creates a visually interesting display.
This combination is especially effective in woodland-style gardens, where you want to create layers of foliage that play off each other.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right companion plants for your hostas can make all the difference in creating a garden that’s not only beautiful but also healthy and thriving.
By pairing hostas with plants that share similar growing conditions and offer contrasting textures, colors, and shapes, you can create a garden that feels dynamic and alive.
Each of the 14 plants I’ve mentioned here brings something unique to the table, enhancing the natural beauty of hostas while adding their own charm to the mix.
With a little planning and creativity, your garden will be a place of tranquility and lush greenery, where hostas and their companions thrive together in harmony.
Happy gardening!