Funkia) is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name gibōshi.

The genus is currently placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae,[6] and is native to northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East).

Natural mutations of native species are known with yellow-green ("gold") colored leaves or with leaf variegation (either white/cream or yellowish edges or centers).

Variegated plants very often give rise to sports that are the result of the reshuffling of cell layers during bud formation, producing foliage with mixed pigment sections.

In seedlings variegation is generally maternally derived by chloroplast transfer and is not a genetically inheritable trait.

The flowers of hosta are produced on upright scapes that are woody and remain on the plant throughout winter, they are generally taller than the leaf mound, and end in terminal racemes.

[11] The individual flowers are usually pendulous, 0.75–2 in (1.9–5.1 cm) long, with six tepals,[12] white, lavender, or violet in color and usually scentless.

Interspecific hybridization occurs since all the species have the same chromosome number (2n = 2x = 60); except H. ventricosa which is a natural tetraploid that sets seed through apomixis.

Accepted species[2] as of July 2021: Hostas are widely cultivated, being particularly useful in the garden as shade-tolerant plants whose striking foliage provides a focal point.

[60] Foliar nematodes, which leave streaks of dead tissue between veins, have become an increasing problem where pesticide use has decreased.