Hosta Red Ninja

Hosta Red Ninja® ('NK2021') is a compact hosta awarded RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026, unique because its young leaves are red in spring if the plant receives sufficient light. This variety brings a rare colour to part-shade borders and containers. It won the Plant of the Year award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, a distinction of the highest order for a horticultural novelty.

This cultivar belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Hostas are also known as funkias or plantain lilies. The genus originates from East Asia, where several species grow in cool woodland edges, damp woodland or rocky areas near watercourses. Red Ninja® ('NK2021') is a hybrid hosta. It is a herbaceous perennial: its above-ground growth dies back in winter, then regrows in spring. This cultivar was selected by Ninja Kramer in Denmark as a complete mutation of Hosta 'First Blush'. It was then propagated by division and subsequently by in vitro culture to stabilise its characters. Compared with 'First Blush', its leaves are more red-tinged, and its petioles are also more coloured. The plant forms a low, wide and rounded clump, 30 to 35cm tall, with a spread of 35 to 50cm depending on conditions. Its growth is moderate. The leaves are ovate, somewhat thick, slightly wavy at the margins, about 14 cm long and 7cm wide. At bud burst, they are distinctly purplish-red, with more or less visible green margins. This colouring depends heavily on light: it is more pronounced in the gentle morning sun or in a very bright position; greater shade produces almost green leaves. The short and sturdy petioles retain a fine colour even if the foliage greens up. This variety flowers between August and September, sometimes in October depending on the region. Its violet-purple, tubular to campanulate flowers rise in loose clusters above the foliage. They measure approximately 5cm in length and 4.5cm in diameter and are not fragrant. Like many hostas, the plant develops fleshy, branched roots, suited to humus-rich soils that remain slightly moist. This plant rewards the long research efforts of hosta breeders to achieve truly red foliage.

Hosta Red Ninja® is superb at the edge of a border, but also in a pot. Position it so that its foliage receives sun during the first hours of the morning in spring. Pair it with Hosta White Feather, unique for its cream-white foliage, or coloured heucheras such as 'Wildberry' or 'Bloody Dinosaur' to create a sumptuous foliage border. It will pair well with many perennials such as dwarf astilbes and epimediums. Its foliage will conceal the gap left by spring-flowering bulbs. It will also look its best in the company of lungworts, violets… All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. Choose a special geranium compost to use during the growing period. As long as the foliage is not too dense, it can be watered from the top of the pot. Otherwise place a saucer under the pot into which you pour the water, keeping the level constant in summer.