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Hostas have been a landscaping staple for many years. I remember my mom planting tons of Hostas in the 90’s. They were kind of the go-to for shade.
Got shade? Plant some Hostas!
Last year I replaced some Hostas in my landscaping with some native plants. I put the Hostas on the curb, free to anyone who wanted them, and they were gone in minutes!
Are Hostas native to North America?
Hostas are not native to North America, and are actually introduced from northeast Asia. They were introduced in North America in the early 1800’s. Since that time, they have become one of the most popular and best-selling perennials here. There are many things to like about Hostas:
- They are easy to care for and thrive in many conditions.
- There are more than 6,000 varieties, making it easy for the novice landscaper to find a Hosta that will fit any landscape need.
- If you want great looking tropical foliage, the Hosta delivers.
- Most Hostas are only 1-2′ tall and have a clumping form which make them a great choice for the garden border, but can fit in almost any garden bed with the correct light requirements.
Why do we want to replace Hostas with native plants?
Because Hostas are native to Asia, they did not co-evolve with any species here in North America. This means that they are extremely widespread, but very underutilized by our native insects. They aren’t adding any real value to our landscape.
When compiling this list, I looked for native plants that have a similar height and shade tolerance to Hostas so they could be easily replaced. All of the plants listed below will be a great substitute or alternative to the Hosta, without sacrificing on looks!
How to Tell if a Plant is Native to Your Area
All of the plant listed here can be bought online through Prairie Moon Nursery or Prairie Nursery.
6 Native Plants to Replace Your Hostas
1. Jack in the Pulpit
- Partial Sun to Shade
- Height: 1’2′ tall
- Blooms: April-May
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Ease of Care: Jack in the Pulpit is highly adaptable in many soil conditions
- Foliage: Large green foliage. Not as “full” as a Hosta, but has a tropical look
Other benefits:
- Jack in the Pulpit yields bright red berries in late summer that can be used by birds as a food source.
- Herbivores will avoid, so it will not be eaten down to the stem, unlike Hostas which are a favorite snack for deer and rabbits.
2. Starry Solomon’s Plume
- Partial Sun to Shade
- Height: 1′ - 2′ tall
- Blooms: May-June
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Tough perennial that can survive in many conditions
- Great green foliage
3. Foamflower
- Partial Sun to Shade
- Height: 1′ tall
- Blooms: May-June
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Foliage stays attractive all season long.
- Also a good alternative for the shade-loving Astilbe.
4. Wild Geranium
- Full Sun to Shade
- Height: 1-2′ tall
- Blooms: May-June
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Retains its foliage all season long
- Forms a nice little clump
- Long-lived; called ‘indestructible’ by some
5. Jacob’s Ladder
- Full Sun to Shade
- Height: 1-2′ tall
- Blooms: May-June
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Jacob’s Ladder has excellent foliage with pretty flowers
6. Wild Ginger
- Partial Sun to Shade
- Height: 1′ tall
- Blooms: May-June
What makes it a good Hosta alternative?
- Wild Ginger is a slowly creeping, low groundcover that has a different appearance than a Hosta in that it is not a clump forming plant, but if you are looking for greenery and great foliage, Wild Ginger is a great alternative to the traditional Hosta.
I replaced my Hostas with Self-Heal Plant, Elm-Leaved Goldenrod, Hairy Wood Mint, Downy Wood Mint, and Calico Aster. There are plenty of other native plant species you can use that aren’t on this list!
Leave a comment below if you have had luck with other shade-loving native plants!
Good luck and happy planting! 🙂
How well does hosta decompose? I see the frost destroys the cell structure of the plant and it wilts but but what can attach the molecular structure: fungi, bacteria, since no digestible by insects.
I don’t think native species of fungi or bacteria are necessary for the breakdown of the plant into soil, but I don’t know for sure! Something to look into, I guess! 🙂
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are your plant photos copyrighted? I am doing a native plant series on all 50 US states & love your blog posts! In particular I’m asking about the starry Solomon’s Plume photo. Looks like a cool plant for hosta trade.
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Hellebore also known as Lenten Rose are one of my favorite shade lovers. The deer don’t seem to like them which is good at out cabin. The early flowers even in snow make them a welcome plant in late winter. The color choices are great and the foliage is gorgeous.