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

Fall is ideal for dividing and planting perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and ornamental grasses, which benefit from root development during the cooler months. —Tammy Sons, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Nematodes and a variety of viruses commonly plague hostas. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024

Find out when to cut back hostas and how to help these plants overwinter well. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024

Slugs frequently overwinter in hosta foliage only to devour the plant in spring. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024

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