Hosta RED NINJA ('Nk2021') — RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026

The Hosta That Changes Everything

The horticultural world has been buzzing since Chelsea Flower Show 2026, and this is why. Hosta RED NINJA ('Nk2021') has just been awarded the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026, and it has earned every bit of that recognition.

Bred by celebrated Dutch plantsman Ninja Kramer, RED NINJA is a genuine breakthrough in Hosta breeding. Its striking red petioles (leaf stems) hold their rich, deep colour from spring right through to autumn. No fading. No greening out. Just season-long drama in the garden, year after year.

What Makes RED NINJA Different

Most red-tinted Hostas offer a brief flush of colour in spring, then revert to green within weeks. RED NINJA holds firm all season. The bold crimson stems create a vivid contrast against the deep, lustrous green leaves, a combination that looks equally stunning in a shady border, a woodland garden, or an elegant container on a sun-drenched terrace.

And here is the part that genuinely surprises people: RED NINJA tolerates sun. Properly. More direct sunlight than almost any Hosta before it. Spots that were previously off-limits, a south-facing bed, a sunnier mixed border, a bright patio corner, are now fair game.

This is not just a beautiful new plant. It is a plant that changes what is possible in your garden.

At a Glance

Award: RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026
Breeder: Ninja Kramer
Foliage: Deep green leaves with persistent, vivid red petioles
Position: Full sun to partial shade with exceptional sun tolerance
Soil: Moist but well-drained, enriched with organic matter
Hardiness: Fully hardy to -23°C (RHS H7)
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Perfect for: Borders, woodland gardens, containers, sunny and shady spots alike
Local: We ship our hosta plants with local dispatch from London!

How to Grow Hosta RED NINJA

Planting

Plant in spring or early autumn for best establishment
Choose a position in full sun, partial shade, or dappled shade
Dig in plenty of well-rotted compost or leaf mould before planting
Space plants 45 to 60 cm apart to allow for mature spread

Ongoing Care

Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells
Apply a generous mulch of compost or bark in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring as new growth emerges
Protect emerging shoots from slugs and snails as this is when Hostas are most vulnerable
Divide established clumps every three to four years to maintain vigour

Winter

Fully hardy throughout the United Kingdom with no protection required
Cut back dying foliage in late autumn once it has collapsed naturally
Mulching the crown in colder regions adds an extra layer of reassurance