Plant field guide
Hosta (Sum and Substance)
One of the largest hostas, producing massive chartreuse-gold leaves up to 20 inches long. Impressive clumps that become a garden focal point. More sun-tolerant than most hostas, gaining a deeper golden color with more light.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 30 in (76 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spread
- 48 in (122 cm) – 72 in (183 cm)
- Spacing
- 48 in (122 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–9; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: November, December.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Thick leaves resist slug damage better than thin-leaved varieties. Tolerates more sun than most hostas. Divide every 4-5 years. Remove spent flower stalks.
Pruning
Cut back dead foliage after frost. Remove flower stalks after blooming if desired.
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release
Early spring
Mulch
2-3 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture.