Red Ninja™ Hosta

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Shade

(0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

14 Inches

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

If you've spent any time in the hosta world, you know that "red" has always been more of a suggestion than a reality. Red Ninja changes that. The leaves are a genuine deep burgundy-red with dark green margins, and they stay that way through summer. It's the breakthrough hosta collectors and shade gardeners have been waiting for, and it's finally here.

This herbaceous perennial stays low and compact at roughly 12 to 14 inches tall and around 24 inches wide. Use it to break up a run of plain green hostas, brighten a modern shade border, or add a bold leaf pattern to a mixed container. Come late summer, purple flowers push up above the foliage right when everything else in the garden is starting to look tired. The timing alone is worth something.

Red Ninja™ Hosta Care

Plant Red Ninja™ Hosta in partial shade or dappled sun in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is a good fit, and soil that stays evenly damp without turning soggy will give the best leaf quality. Too much dense shade can mute the color, while strong direct afternoon sun can stress the foliage.

Water regularly during dry stretches, especially in summer, so the leaves stay full and the clump does not stall. Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or compost-enriched soil, and keep mulch around the plant to hold moisture and cool the root zone. This hosta dies back in fall and returns from the crown when temperatures warm in spring.

Trim spent flower scapes after bloom if you want the clump to look cleaner going into fall. Remove damaged or tattered leaves through the season, and clear away collapsed foliage after frost to reduce hiding spots for slugs and snails. In containers, do not let the soil dry out in summer, which stresses the roots.

Red Ninja™ Hosta Spacing

Space Red Ninja™ Hosta about 18 to 24 inches apart so each clump can keep its shape and show the red stems clearly. Give the plant time to settle in, as hostas always look better in their second and third year once the clump fills out. For containers, use a pot at least 15 inches wide with rich potting mix and steady moisture.  

For combinations, plant Red Ninja™ with contrasting foliage to help the burgundy-red foliage pop. Chartreuse heuchera, lady's mantle, or a bright gold hosta nearby will make Red Ninja look almost unreal. In a pot, pair it with a lime sweet potato vine spilling over the edge and people will assume you're a seasoned garden designer.

Images Courtesy of Concept Plants

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