How to Grow Hostas
Purchase field-grown hosta plants., Choose an area in the yard that receives partial sun., Prepare the soil., Space hosta plants in the garden 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60 cm)., Mulch the soil around the hosta plants to help it retain moisture and keep...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Purchase field-grown hosta plants.
You can buy these from a local nursery or garden center, or buy them from a mail supply plant company that offers greater variety.
You can grow hostas from seeds, but the germination rate is very low.
Additionally, most plants produced from non-hybridized seeds are small, spindly and are not as attractive as hybrid plants. -
Step 2: Choose an area in the yard that receives partial sun.
Hostas are shade tolerant, not shade loving.
They will survive in full shade but do best in areas where they receive morning sun and are shaded during the hot afternoon. , Till the soil to loosen it to a depth of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).
Amend the soil with compost, humus or sand if needed.
Hostas prefer loose, well-drained soil. , Spacing varies depending on the variety of the hosta you plant and the size you expect it to grow.
Varieties of hostas that grow fast produce shorter plants.
These have a wide-spreading shallow root network and work well as ground cover.
Place these plants closer together and allow them to fill in and prevent weed growth.
Varieties that grow at least 12 inches tall (30 cm) and have more horizontal than vertical growth can be spaced closer together and used as border or edging plants.
These types of hostas are also commonly used around the base of trees. , After hosta plants are established, they don't need much weeding.
Use cocoa mulch or pine straw to mulch around hostas.
These products have the added benefit of also repelling slugs, the biggest pest problem that affects hostas.
Avoid using shredded leaves or other plant matter as mulch, because those products attract slugs.
Keep the layer of mulch to 2 inches (5 cm) thick or less.
Over-mulching around hostas encourages voles (field mice) that tunnel through the mulch and eat the hosta leaves. , These large-leaved plants have a high water transpiration rate, so they require plenty of water.
Although they can withstand drought, hostas do best if given 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water weekly.
For best results water the plants every 2 to 4 days. , You can divide hostas at any time; but if you live in an area with harsh winters, it is best to divide and transplant your hostas in the spring so they are well established before the first frost.
Dig the hosta plant out of the ground and lay it on the surface of the soil.
Use a sharp shovel or knife to cut the plant into 2 or 3 pieces.
Make sure there is at least one stem growth point (or eye)on each new plant.
Put one piece of the plant back in the original hole and transplant the other pieces to new spots. -
Step 3: Prepare the soil.
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Step 4: Space hosta plants in the garden 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60 cm).
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Step 5: Mulch the soil around the hosta plants to help it retain moisture and keep down weeds.
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Step 6: Water hosta plants regularly.
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Step 7: Divide your hosta plants to create new plants if they start to overcrowd.
Detailed Guide
You can buy these from a local nursery or garden center, or buy them from a mail supply plant company that offers greater variety.
You can grow hostas from seeds, but the germination rate is very low.
Additionally, most plants produced from non-hybridized seeds are small, spindly and are not as attractive as hybrid plants.
Hostas are shade tolerant, not shade loving.
They will survive in full shade but do best in areas where they receive morning sun and are shaded during the hot afternoon. , Till the soil to loosen it to a depth of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).
Amend the soil with compost, humus or sand if needed.
Hostas prefer loose, well-drained soil. , Spacing varies depending on the variety of the hosta you plant and the size you expect it to grow.
Varieties of hostas that grow fast produce shorter plants.
These have a wide-spreading shallow root network and work well as ground cover.
Place these plants closer together and allow them to fill in and prevent weed growth.
Varieties that grow at least 12 inches tall (30 cm) and have more horizontal than vertical growth can be spaced closer together and used as border or edging plants.
These types of hostas are also commonly used around the base of trees. , After hosta plants are established, they don't need much weeding.
Use cocoa mulch or pine straw to mulch around hostas.
These products have the added benefit of also repelling slugs, the biggest pest problem that affects hostas.
Avoid using shredded leaves or other plant matter as mulch, because those products attract slugs.
Keep the layer of mulch to 2 inches (5 cm) thick or less.
Over-mulching around hostas encourages voles (field mice) that tunnel through the mulch and eat the hosta leaves. , These large-leaved plants have a high water transpiration rate, so they require plenty of water.
Although they can withstand drought, hostas do best if given 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water weekly.
For best results water the plants every 2 to 4 days. , You can divide hostas at any time; but if you live in an area with harsh winters, it is best to divide and transplant your hostas in the spring so they are well established before the first frost.
Dig the hosta plant out of the ground and lay it on the surface of the soil.
Use a sharp shovel or knife to cut the plant into 2 or 3 pieces.
Make sure there is at least one stem growth point (or eye)on each new plant.
Put one piece of the plant back in the original hole and transplant the other pieces to new spots.
About the Author
Mary Brown
Enthusiastic about teaching cooking techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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