Black-Eyed Susan vs Hosta

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hosta

Hosta spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Hosta (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Hosta
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Hosta spp.
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Lavender
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Hosta

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Hosta

✓Protect from slugs with copper barriers or iron phosphate bait.
✓Divide in spring or fall.
✓More sun = more flowers but less blue color.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Hosta if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View HostaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Hosta grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Hosta needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Hosta?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 4' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Hosta is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Hosta with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Hosta?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Hosta
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Hosta spp.
Family	Asteraceae	Asparagaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	4'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Lavender
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Hosta if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Hosta grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Hosta needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Hosta?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 4' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Hosta is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Hosta with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Hosta?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Hosta have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.