Growing guide · Perennials

Hosta

How to grow Hosta 'Halcyon'.

The blue hosta everyone measures against.

Light
Part sun, shade
Water
Moderate
Zones
3–9
Size
15–18 in. tall, 32–36 in. wide
Spacing
2.5–3 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $36.99
Hosta with spear-shaped chalky blue-gray leaves in a dense mound

Light

Part to full shade. More sun means greener, duller leaves.

Water

Keep evenly moist; an inch a week in summer.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or early fall in rich soil, crown at soil level.

Feeding

Compost in spring.

Pruning

Cut flower stalks after bloom. Clear dead leaves in fall.

Through the year

Up in mid-spring, bluest in early summer, flowers July–August.

If something's off

Deer and rabbits eat it. Overhead watering washes off the blue bloom. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Japanese Painted Fern 'Pictum'
Athyrium niponicum var. pictumJapanese Painted Fern 'Pictum' from $29.99
Coral Bells 'Obsidian'
HeucheraCoral Bells 'Obsidian' from $35.99
Corydalis 'Canary Feathers'
Corydalis hybridCorydalis 'Canary Feathers' from $35.99

Why we stock it: A classic blue hosta that stays blue.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

Next
Find your next plant →
All perennials →How we label →
The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.