hosta

noun

hos·​ta ˈhō-stə 

ˈhä-

: any of a genus (Hosta) of Asian perennial herbaceous plants of the lily family with densely growing basal leaves and tall racemes of white or violet flowers

called also funkia, plantain lily

Did you know?

There are about 40 species of hostas or plantain lilies, which are hardy perennials in the lily family, native to eastern Asia. They prefer light shade, but will grow under a variety of conditions. They are valued for their conspicuous foliage, which may be light to dark green, yellow, blue, or variegated. The ribbed leaves grow in a cluster at the base, and stalks bearing clusters of tubular white or bluish-purple flowers emerge from the leaves.

Examples of hosta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Botanical Name: Sisyrinchium angustifolium Sun Exposure: Partial shade Soil Type: Moist clay, loam, or sand Soil pH: Acidic to neutral Hosta Often called Plantain lilies, there are dozens of striking hostas that put on a foliage show in the shade. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 June 2025

Plant a Lush Landscape To soften the edges of the rectilinear pond, the homeowners planted a mass of hostas along the top of the retaining wall. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025

The sale also features a selection of annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, lilies, roses, hostas, Minnesota natives and trees. —Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025

Peacock gingers of several varieties mimic the hostas often bearing colorful leaves. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, after Nicolaus Thomas Host †1834 Austrian physician and botanist

Note: The genus was named in honor of Host by the Austrian botanist Leopold Trattinnick (1764-1849) in Archiv der Gewächskunde, Band 1 (1812), p. 55.

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above