Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ is a standout variety of hosta that adds color and texture to shady garden spots. Its bold leaves and unique variegation make it easy to recognize and fun to grow.
In this post, you’ll learn what makes this plant different from other hostas. We’ll cover its leaf color, flower features, and growth habit.
You’ll also find tips on how to grow it successfully in your garden. From sunlight requirements to soil conditions, we explain what this hosta prefers.
You’ll also get ideas on how to pair it with other shade-loving plants. Whether you’re new to hostas or a seasoned gardener, this guide will help you get the best from the Hosta Stained Glass plant.
Hosta stained glass overview
The table below gives an overview of the care of Hosta ‘Stained Glass’. It highlights key characteristics, from sunlight needs to pruning and maintenance for the plant.
| Common name | Plantain lily |
| Botanical name | Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant type | perennial |
| Sunlight needs | Partial sun to full sun |
| Soil requirements | Well-draining, fertile soil |
| Soil pH | Slightly acid to slightly alkaline |
| Bloom time | Late summer |
| Flower color | Pale lavender |
| Hardiness zones | 3-9 |
| Native area | Not native to any particular area – grows worldwide |
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Hosta ‘Stained Glass’
This hosta was named Hosta of the Year in 2006 by the American Hosta Growers Association. It was first introduced by Shady Oaks Nursery in Minnesota.
The plant grows to a height of 16-20 inches and a spread of 35 – 47 inches. It has a medium rate of growth.
The leaves of this lovely hosta plant are symmetrical with a puffy texture that becomes more pronounced as it matures from year to year.
This hosta is fairly disease-resistant, but be on the lookout for slugs and snails.
Sunlight needs for Hosta ‘stained glass’
While most hostas perform better in the shade, this variegated hosta will achieve the best color in its leaves if it gets some direct sunlight. It can take full shade to filtered sun.
If the plant gets the right sunlight conditions, it will give a fabulous show of yellow, green, and dark green leaves.
If you have an area of your garden that transitions between both sun and shade, hosta stained glass is a good choice, since it can grow in both locations.
The more sun that the plant receives, the brighter the leaves become. The color stays true even in summer heat.
Soil needs
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’does best in well-draining soil. Adding compost helps to make sure the soil does not get too wet and also adds extra nourishment for the soil.
Watering, cold hardiness, and flower color
Water regularly – at least weekly, and more often in times of extreme heat.
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ has bell-shaped, pale lavender flowers that appear in mid to late summer. The flowers clump on top of 3-foot-tall scapes.
This hosta is cold-hardy in USDA zones 3-9. The plant grows from a rhizome.
Uses and propagation of this sun-tolerant hosta variety
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ is great for mass plantings, as a border plant, or in planters or tubs. While not deer-resistant, this hosta is not as appealing to deer as some other varieties. Rabbits seem to leave it alone, however!
Propagate the plant by division in either spring or fall. This will give you new plants for free. The plant goes dormant in the fall and reappears again in early spring.
Good companion plants for this hosta are coral bells, columbine, variegated liriope, and bleeding heart.
More hosta varieties:
If you enjoy growing hostas, these are some other varieties to check out.
- Hosta Minuteman
- Hosta Autumn Frost
- Hosta ‘Cat and Mouse’
- Hosta ‘Yellow Splash Rim’
- Hosta Kiyosumiensis
Want to know what to grow in the garden along with hostas? Check out my post for hosta companion plants for some ideas.
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Where to purchase Hosta ‘Stained Glass’
Several online venues have this lovely hosta plant for sale.
- Buy this Hosta on Amazon
- Find it on Etsy
- Find this hosta at Plant Delights Nursery
- Get this variety at Great Garden Plants
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How to Grow Hosta Stained Glass
Hosta 'Stained Glass' is a sun-tolerant hosta variety that is great in borders or semi-sunny garden beds. It is easy to grow and has great color.
Materials
- Hosta 'Stained Glass' plant
- Compost
- Good garden soil
Tools
- Hose or watering can.
Instructions
- Plant Hosta 'Stained Glass' as a live plant or as a bare-rooted rhizome.
- Add compost for nourishment in the planting hole.
- Space plants about 3 feet apart (plant grows to 35-47" wide and 16-20" tall.)
- Water well and keep watering once a week until it is established. (more in very hot weather.)
- Choose a spot that transitions from shade to semi-sunny. The more sun the plant gets, the brighter the leaves will be.
- Leaf color is pale yellow-green, with puffy centers with deeper green margins.
- Cold hardiness is zones 3-9.
- Propagate from division in either spring or fall.
- The plant gets lavender flowers on tall stalks in midsummer.
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