How to Grow Hosta Plants

Hosta is a perennial with large leaves, full foliage and small flowers. Hosta thrives in the shade, but many cultivars also require a certain amount of light. Most gardeners buy hosta plants from a bonsai store or nursery when they want to add more hosta flowers in their garden, but you can separate existing plants or plant seeds to propagate.

Table of Contents

Preparing the land for planting

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Wait for the right time. Hosta plants are not very sensitive to cold, so you can plant them as soon as the soil is warm enough to work in the spring. Spring and late summer are ideal times to plant hosta, as this is a period of vigorous growth, and the plant will take root easily.

If you plan to plant in late summer, you should plant at least 6 weeks before the first frost. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Choose a location with suitable shade. Hosta are shade-loving plants and require very little sun – although they will not thrive in full shade. The most ideal location for growing hosta is one that is free from strong winds and hail, shady between midday and 4pm, and receives indirect light. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can plant hosta under a large tree to protect it from sun, wind, and hail. Remember not to plant too close to the tree’s roots so the hosta doesn’t have to compete for nutrients.
The degree of shade preference of the hosta plant depends on the cultivar. In general, plants with yellow leaves can tolerate more sun than plants with white, blue or green leaves. Blue hosta plants need the most sun protection. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
The hosta plant also grows well in the corners of the building that still have a little sunlight.

Plant a tree

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Soak the tree. Sometimes hosta plants are brought back from the nursery in bags with bare roots. In this case, it is important to soak the roots to prepare the plant before planting. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Choose a bucket slightly smaller than the top of the tree.
Pour cold water into the bucket. Place the top of the plant over the top of the bucket so that the roots are submerged in the water below. Do the same for each tree.
Soak the plant for at least an hour before planting. If not planted right away, just soak the plant in water to keep the roots moist.

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Remove tree roots. Just before planting, remove the plant from the bucket and gently remove the roots with your hands. Carefully comb the roots with your fingers to prevent tangles and make sure all roots are stretched in the direction in which they grow. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Hosta plants are prone to root tangles, especially potted plants. Plants can be tight if you try to plant them in the ground with tangled roots.

Caring for healthy plants

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Spread the surface coating. Mulch will help retain soil moisture, prevent weeds, and protect plants from rodents. After planting, spread a layer of mulch on the ground around the tree.

The ideal mulch for hosta plants is shredded bark, pine needles or rotting leaves.

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Provide constant moisture to the plant. Water well after planting. Maintains even and constant moisture throughout the life of the plant. Plants that are exposed to a lot of sun need even more water to prevent leaf burn.

Provide the hosta with 2.5 cm of water per week throughout the growing season in spring and summer. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Prune dead leaves in the fall. Hosta plants will go into dormancy during the fall and winter, meaning they won’t grow and don’t need a lot of nutrients. When fall arrives, prune your hosta by removing dead or yellowing leaves. ^{[9] X Research Source}

The wilted leaves continue to suck up the plant’s nutrients, so you can help save energy by removing these leaves in the fall.

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Prepare the tree to live through the winter. Hosta are hardy plants and will survive the winter, but they will have a better chance of thriving if they are prepared for the cold months. After the ground freezes, cover the ground around the tree with fallen leaves and add more leaves around the top of the tree. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Leave the mulch on the hosta plant until the last frost in spring.
Covering plants with organic material is also a way to retain heat and moisture in the soil.

Advice

Hosta plants generally do not need fertilizer, often the only nutrient the plant may need is nitrogen.
You can also grow hosta plants in pots. Choose a flower pot that is the right size for the plant: Only leave a space that does not exceed 5-7.5 cm compared to the longest roots. Spread a layer of gravel on the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage.

Steps

Preparing the land for planting

Plant a tree

Caring for healthy plants

Advice

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