Hosta Care and Culture

Most hosta plants do better with some shade. This varies a good deal with how far north or south you are, soil type, and type of shade. Blue varieties will keep their color longer if grown in open shade, with no direct sun. Green or gold varieties tolerate more sun given adequate water. Hosta plants will grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9 but variety choice becomes ever more important as the limits of adaptation are pushed. For best hosta gardening results, ask experienced gardeners in your locality or contact us at ezplant.

High filtered light as furnished by trees with the lower limbs removed is favored by Hosta Plants. Pines are very good, but others such as maples may give too much shade. Afternoon shade is preferable. The slope is also a variable and can be used to moderate growing conditions in various area. A north-facing slope is equivalent to a move several hundred miles to the north, whereas a south slope is the opposite and would be hotter and dryer.

The best part of gardening is the surprise you get when you try hosta plants in a questionable location and they thrive. Thus a good approach is to experiment and wait and see. Plant the variety you want where you want and watch. The plants will soon tell you if they are happy or not.

Preparing the plant bed...
Hosta plants thrive in moist well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5. Space the plants 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on the variety and the density of the foliage you desire. Some larger varieties may need even more space.

How to water hosta plants...
During hot and dry periods, hosta plants will need regular watering. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Without adequate moisture, leaves may burn, especially when planted in too much sun.

As the seasons change...
All varieties of hosta plants go dormant in the winter. They collapse to almost nothing after a few cold nights. In cold winter areas, mulch may be beneficial but should be applied after the ground freezes. When spring rolls around, new leaves grow from the roots and the hosta plants quickly returns to their full leafy glory. Snails and slugs love to eat hosta plants. Apply Slug and Snail Bait to your hosta plants early in the growing season and repeat as needed.