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purple leaf hosta

Searching for the elusive purple leaf hosta? You’re not alone—New Zealand gardeners are captivated by the idea of a hosta with striking purple foliage. While most hostas are celebrated for their lush green, blue, or variegated leaves, purple leaf hostas remain more myth than reality. But don’t be discouraged: several hosta varieties feature purple accents, especially in their flowers or stems, and offer exceptional colour for shaded gardens. Let’s explore what’s currently available, how to create bold foliage contrasts, and the best alternatives for gardeners longing for that purple flair.

hosta-dew-drop-2

Hosta Dew Drop

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Hosta Dew Drop is a miniature variety that has dark green leaves with a white edge. The foliage is complemented with lilac-coloured flowers through summer which are held neatly above the leaves. This herbaceous perennial typically grows to 15 cm tall and 20 cm wide, and in cooler climates it may die back during winter but will regrow again when conditions warm in spring. The Dew Drop Hosta is commonly planted as a groundcover, included in borders, used in tropical and cottage gardens, or planted around outdoor living areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 20 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
corylus-maxima-purpurea-

Corylus maxima Purpurea

Corylus maxima Purpurea, commonly known as the Purple-Leaved Filbert tree, is grown for its attractive foliage and interesting catkins. This deciduous tree typically grows to 6 m tall and the same wide bearing deep purple, serrated leaves held on multiple stems. Corylus maxima Purpurea is commonly grown as a specimen tree.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean
hosta-blue-mouse-ears--5

Hosta Blue Mouse Ears

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Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

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Anthurium Zizou Purple plant with purple flowers and green foliage.

Anthurium Zizou Purple'

Anthurium 'Zizou Purple' is a striking tropical plant admired for its rich purple blooms and glossy, heart shaped leaves. Perfect for New Zealand...

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Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.

Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

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Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, commonly known as the Purple Beech tree, is grown for its beautiful colours and slender growth habit. The foliage...

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Werauhia sanguinolenta

This variety of Bromeliad is grown for its amazingly coloured foliage. It features green leaves with a purple undertone, and dark purple on the leaf...

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Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.

Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a popular variety that is commonly grown as an indoor plant. It produces elongated, dark green leaves held on...

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Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat...

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Colourful Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' plants with purple flowers.

Liriope 'Royal Purple'

Liriope 'Royal Purple', commonly known as Monkey Grass, produces strap-like, dark green leaves that become adorned with masses of showy, deep...

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Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus Purple Spire is a popular variety of the commonly known, Claret Ash, and is grown for its impressive form and brilliant autumn colours. It...

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Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.

Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

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Fagus sylvatica Riversii

Fagus sylvatica Riversii is a purple Beech tree that features a broad and spreading crown of stunning foliage. The glossy leaves emerge deep purple...

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Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

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Lavandula Lavance Purple

Lavandula Lavance Purple is a variety of English Lavender that grows as a compact shrub and carries masses of small, dark purple-blue flower spikes...

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Salvia Amistad with purple flowers and lush green foliage.

Salvia Amistad

Salvia Amistad is one of the purple Salvias grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

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Bergenia Rotblum (Heart Leaf Bergenia)

Bergenia 'Rotblum' is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its bold glossy foliage and vibrant deep pink flowers that appear in late winter and...

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Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch' purple-pink flowers and variegated foliage.

Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch'

Bougainvillea ‘Purple Patch’ is a dazzling climbing plant that delivers an abundance of rich purple bracts through the warmer months. Perfect for...

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A Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' tree.

Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves'

Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' is an ornamental pear admired for its vibrant autumn colour display. This deciduous tree produces lush green foliage through...

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Lavender 'Bandera Purple' with elegant, purple flowers growing in a border.

Lavender stoechas 'Bandera Purple'

Lavender stoechas 'Bandera Purple' is a compact and vibrant lavender variety known for its deep purple flowers topped with bright coloured bracts...

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Lavender 'Sensation Purple' purple flowers above fresh, green foliage.

Lavender 'Sensation Purple'

Lavender 'Sensation Purple' is a compact and highly fragrant variety prized for its deep purple flower spikes and tidy growth habit. This popular...

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Bergenia 'Pink Snow Cloud' (Heart Leaf Bergenia)

Bergenia Pink Snow Cloud is grown for its lush foliage and pretty flowers. The leaves are large and arranged as a somewhat flat rosette. They tend to...

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Fiddle-Leaf Fig with lush, green leaves.

Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig)

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Hosta Dew Drop

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Anthurium, Bergenia, Bougainvillea, Corylus, Dodonaea, Fagus, Ficus, Fraxinus, Hosta, Hoya, Lavandula, Lavender, Leptinella, Liriope, Mesembryanthemum, Pyrus Salvia and Werauhia, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents Deciduous Trees and Flowering Pears.

Search purple leaf hosta

Is There a True Purple Leaf Hosta?

While the term “purple leaf hosta” is popular in gardening circles, there are no widely recognised hosta cultivars with entirely purple leaves. Hostas naturally produce foliage ranging from deep blue to golden yellow and creamy variegation, but purple is typically found in their stems or flower scapes. If you’re looking for a hosta with purple hues, consider varieties like Hosta Purple Heart, which boasts vivid purple petioles (leaf stems), creating a dazzling effect when leaves arch away from their base.

Best Alternatives to Purple Leaf Hostas

Although a true purple leaf hosta has yet to grace the nursery world, you can achieve similar visual interest by pairing hostas with purple-flowered perennials or by choosing hostas with dramatic foliage:

Creating Colourful Shade Gardens with Hostas

Hostas thrive in shady, moist conditions and are famed for their resilience in New Zealand gardens. To mimic that purple leaf hosta magic, combine hostas with plants that deliver genuine purple foliage or blooms. Coral bells, heucheras, and purple ferns pair brilliantly with varieties like Hosta Sagae, known for its elegant, gold-margined leaves.

If you’re seeking a truly eye-catching miniature option with unique variegation, Hosta Pandoras Box deserves a spot in your collection. This compact hosta boasts pure white centres surrounded by creamy and green edges, providing dazzling contrast for smaller spaces.

Planting and Care Tips

Even without a true purple leaf hosta, caring for your hostas is straightforward. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil, mulch annually, and water consistently during dry spells. Hostas are low-maintenance, slug-resistant, and reward you with years of beautiful foliage and delicate flowers.

Whether your goal is purple foliage or simply lush, shade-loving beauty, hostas offer a world of possibilities. Browse our range— including favourites like Hosta Elegans, Hosta Queen Josephine, and Hosta Pandoras Box—and discover the perfect hosta for your garden palette.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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