Come walk through our front garden with me today as I share tips on how to grow beautiful hostas. Hostas are a low-maintenance plant that can help your garden look amazing from spring through fall if you follow these easy tips.
Hosta plants are the perfect addition to any garden! They are easy to grow and care for, and they add a beautiful touch of greenery.They are also great for hiding unsightly areas in your yard. Growing hostas is a fun and rewarding experience, so start your collection today!
These plants are just a few of my favorites grown in our garden here on our property.
Looking for a show-stopping plant to add to your garden? Look no further than the hosta! Hostas are known for their large, beautiful leaves that come in a variety of colors and textures. Growing hostas easy to care for and will thrive in any type of garden.
Hosta plants originated in the Orient and there are many varieties that come in various sizes and colors. The hosta leaves come in a variety of greens ranging from a deep green that's almost blue to a soft creamy white.
Hosta plants also produce a flower stalk that can be either cone or bell shaped. The flowers are usually white, purple or a striped pattern of the two colors. I don't care for the flower stalk while my husband loves them. In fact, I have been known to go out and cut the stalks off when my husband is at work, much to his disappointment.
Table of Contents
- Growing Hostas for a Beautiful Garden
- How to Grow Hostas
- Tips for Proper Placement:
- Tips for Growing Hostas
- How to Prepare the Soil:
- How to Water:
- How to Control Pests:
- What Fertilizer for Hostas:
- How Big do Hostas Get?
- How to Divide the Plants:
- How to Care for Hostas in the Fall:
- Growing Hostas in Planters
- More Beautiful Gardening Tips and Ideas:
- 💬 Comments
If you need help growing and planning a garden, check out my Garden Planner which includes 10 printable planning pages to help guide you through designing the perfect garden to grow flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables.
Growing Hostas for a Beautiful Garden
Hosta plants are a favorite among most gardeners. And who can blame them? They're a beautiful plant to grow and they're pretty easy to take care of as well. Today I'm going to share with you a few easy tips that we follow to help our hosta plants make a beautiful impression to all who visit.
When we built our house almost 20 years ago we had nothing in the way of landscaping done. We barely had a driveway. But slowly over time we added bushes and plants and even a vegetable garden.
How to Grow Hostas
Adding a hosta to your garden is sure to make a statement. These plants can grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so they really make an impact. And with over 50 different varieties of hostas to choose from, you can find the perfect one to match your garden style.
Hostas are low-maintenance plants that are perfect for any gardener, whether you're a beginner or a pro. They like moist, well-drained soil and prefer shady areas. But don't worry if you have a sunny spot in your garden - there are many varieties of hostas that can tolerate direct sunlight.
Tips for Proper Placement:
- Choose an area in your garden that receives partial sun.
- Hostas are usually considered shade loving plants, but they do best in areas where they receive morning sun and are shaded during the hot afternoon.
- The hostas on our property do receive a ton of late morning sun but they seem to really thrive in it.
Tips for Growing Hostas
- Water your hosta regularly, especially during the hot summer months.
- Fertilize your plant once a month with a Balanced fertilizer. More information about what type of fertilizers to use below.
- Mulch around the base of your plant to help retain moisture.
- Divide your plant every few years to keep it healthy and vigorous.
How to Prepare the Soil:
- Hostas prefer loose, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.
- Dig the hole about 12 inches deep and space the hosta plants about 12 to 24 inches apart.
- Be patient. The plants will grow and spread as they mature.
- Newly planted plants need to be kept moist so mulch the soil around them to help retain moisture.
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How to Water:
- Although hosta plants can withstand drought, they do best if they are given 1 to 2 inches of water every week.
- You'll need to water them daily for about 2 weeks after you first plant them.
- Once the plants are established, try to water them every 2 to 4 days if you don't live in an area that receives a lot of rain during the summer months.
How to Control Pests:
- If you live in an area with a large population of deer, you may want to rethink planting hostas as deer love these beautiful plants.
- Slugs can be a problem as well and will eat large holes in the leaves.
- A few plates filled with beer should help keep the slugs away from the plants.
- Thankfully we've never really had any problems with deer or slugs.
What Fertilizer for Hostas:
Here are a few different fertilizers to use for hostas. You can find these at any local home improvement center like Home Depot or on Amazon:
EZ-gro 20 20 20 Fertilizer -More InformationJ R Peters 52024 Jacks ClassicMore InformationAlgoPlus for Houseplants - Perfectly BalancedMore InformationMiracle-Gro Pour & Feed Plant FoodMore Information
How Big do Hostas Get?
- It can take a hosta plant up to six years to reach it's growth maturity.
- Something I didn't know is that the growth rate is determined by the number of flowers produced every year!
How to Divide the Plants:
- You can divide the plants at any time, but it's best to do so in the spring when the plants are just beginning to grow and you can easily see where to dig around the shoots coming up from the ground.
- A good rule of thumb is to divide the hosta plants when they get too crowded and the center starts to die out.
- Every three to four years is recommended in order to keep hostas healthy.
How to Care for Hostas in the Fall:
- Hostas will not stay green through the cold temperatures of winter, so you should cut them back to a couple of inches when you do the fall cleanup in your garden.
- Every year my husband cuts ours back and every year I think he's killed them.
- But they always come back in the spring and look even more amazing than the year before.
Growing Hostas in Planters
Something new to my garden is growing hostas in planters! We have a rather large back porch that I have a hard time growing planters with traditional flowers because of the lack of sun the back porch receives.
Last summer I planted a few planters with hostas and was amazed at how well they did in the planters! I simply cut them back in the fall like I do to the hostas in the ground and what do you think happened?
They came back this spring! Look how pretty they look in the planters on our back porch.
More Beautiful Gardening Tips and Ideas:
- Tips on Growing Tomatoes
- Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers
- Tips on Growing Sunflowers in your Garden
- Outdoor Gardening Inspiration
Tried any of these tips? Leave a comment and let me know which was your favorite!
This blog post has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos and new information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Stephanie McGinty says
Hostas are the best…easy to split…save on buying more perennials! Regarding slugs a problem I have, cheaper solution. Mix sugar and yeast in a container (I use small margarine containers) fill with water and put under the plant. The slugs will crawl in as they are attracted to the yeast, and that’s the end of them. At the price of our beer, I came up with this cheaper solution. Works great…little yucky to empty the container of the now deceased slugs but better then eaten plants and, again, cheaper than using up your beer.
Lois says
I love the yeast suggestion! Especially since beer is so expensive these days. Great tip...thank you!
Nickie galloway says
I sprinkle mothballs around the base of mine, and it works to keep the deer away. Strong smell. Also, I plan to put pea stone in a large large mound, and plant the host in it. Do you think that they will grow with peastone for mulch?
Lois says
That's a great idea about the mothballs. I can't help you with the pea stone, but I think as long as they're planted in dirt first, it should be fine. Ask at a local garening store. Thank you for visiting.
Dave Binder says
Guess you might call me a hosta collector, as we have about 100 different varieties in our yard here in northern Iowa. All sizes and colors are what we like. Enjoyed your post and photos. Beautiful !!! Spring is best time to divide but I have divided and moved some in early fall when soil is still warm so roots will start growing.
Lois says
Wow! 100 plants! Your garden must be beautiful. Thank you for visiting.
Dawne says
I move at any time, I just cut down the leaves to about 3 inches and divide and move them. The energy goes into the roots and not into looking nice for a few weeks. Just my method.
Lois says
I just started doing the same thing! I'll have to update the post again with these tips. Thank you for visiting.
Monika says
Thank you for the helpful facts about hostas. I have several in my gardens and, unfortunately, have quite a few deer that visit our property. They certainly do love hostas and will eat the leaves right down to the base. I received an old tip from a friend to keep the deer away. Cut Irish Spring soap bars into small pieces and spread them throughout the plant. That strong, fresh smell repels the deer and doesn't harm the plant or soil. It works very well but has to be repeated after a few weeks as the pieces deteriorate. Cheap solution, though; just a bit over a dollar at the dollar store!
Lois says
Thank you for the tip! I will definitely be using it as we have had deer all of a sudden start appearing in our neighborhood!!!! Last summer was the first time and they enjoyed my hosta plants. My neighbor started feeding them...can you imagine??? I will try your suggestion and update the post after this season.
Brenda says
have you had any experience with red ants and hostas? My gardens are full of he biting critters and my hostas are not looking happy
Lois says
No, we don't get many red ants up here where we live. Sorry!!!
Ssppy says
I like to subscribe to your blog! I love hostas and have a yard full, but am not sure about caring for them! How do you trim them back and not sure when to divide them!?
Thanks for the information here!
Sally
Lois says
Thank you for visiting. We clip them back in the fall and my husband usually just cuts them down to where only a few inches are remaining. They will die back also in the cold winter we get here every year. In the spring time when they are just starting to regrow, you can easily divide and replant the shoots in other parts of your garden. You can subscribe by visiting this page and filling out the form: https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/subscribe-to-my-weekly-newsletter/
Wavie Edwards says
I enjoyed your tips on growing outstanding Hostas. I especially liked learning to put beer out for the slugs. Thank you.
Lois says
Thank you!
Geri says
The secret to Beautiful Hostas is Epson salt. You will love the results.
Lois says
Thank you!!
Marsha says
What do you do with the epsom salt? Spread it by itself or mix with water?
Thanks Marsha
Kaye Hart says
You can do either. Epsom salt contains magnesium which is great for Hostas. Just search Epsom salt for Hostas and you can get the amounts to use either dry or with water, and it should also give you the benefits! Good luck, as I’m just learning myself!!
Lois says
Thank you for your help with the comment from Marsha!
Mylah says
Hi.. my hostas always grow back with an empty from the Middle part section. I wonder why? Your gardennis beautiful and I always love to have Hostas all over my garden but i couldnt
Lois says
Oh, that's so strange. I wonder if you try to transplant a few into the center where it's empty? Thank you for visiting.
Georgine Whitman says
I had the same problem with the empty in the middle 2yrs ago. Added some from the outside to the middle last year. They are growing back this year in a circle again. I am going to up root the whole thing and freshen up the soil then re-plant them. crossing my fingers. Georgine
Lois says
I'm sure they're going to grow beautifully! Thank you for visiting.
Toni says
Please don't remove those lovely stalks, the little flowers are a food source stable for our bees 🐝!!!
Judy says
I would like to subscribe to your blog.
Lois says
I sent you an email Judy! Thank you!
Allyson says
Your hostas are so gorgeous and very healthy looking! I miss having them at our new home ~ constant full sun in our gardening beds. Pinned so others can see your tips!
Sherry Bell says
Hi Lois your yard is crazy beautiful. I know you said your husband likes the purple flower stalk and I was wondering if you can cut and root the hostas from the stalks?
Lois says
I have never tried that Sherry. When I do cut the flower stalks, I will bring some in and keep in a jar of water for a few days, but never thought to see if they root. Thank you for visiting.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I am so glad you shared this post this week. I inherited the previous owners garden beds of hosta plants - love them - but some have grown so big and overcrowded that I need to separate them but wasn't sure when to do that. Now I know to do it now. Your garden beds are beautiful. #HomeMattersParty
patricia wallace says
there are Hosta's you can get for full sun, have some and they do well, I have over 100 plants, and my favorite ones now are the mini Hosta's. They are sooo cute, and you can split Hosta's anytime and if the stalk doesn't have a root, just plant it most of the time it will be ok. Use milorganite in the spring on mine when they are up about an inch, that was the bunnies' do'nt use them as there SALAD BAR, and its a good fertilizer, won't burn , use about 1/4 cup per plant.
Lois says
Thanks for the great advice!!!
Marie says
Gosh, your hostas look beautiful! I wish mine looked half as good as that. Thanks to your tips, I think I need to move them so they get a bit more sun.
Britt says
they will not grow like that in Florida.........they need the cold..Even the ones that say stared in Miami ...Even tried bringing them from Illinois, Ohio, Ga, East, to FL.
Lois says
I think hostas would be very difficult to grow in such a warm humid climate as Florida. Unless you were in the northern area and had them planted in a shady area of your garden. Thank you for visiting.
Vanessa says
I'm convinced Hosta are the best. They really are a low maintenance plant and the help keep the garden their in weed-free because not much can grow through them!
Lois says
I agree! I love how our garden looks with them as they grow and mature. Just this year I planted a few hosta plants in large planters on our back porch. They're doing nicely as well. Thank you for visiting!
Kippi says
Stunning hostas and beautiful yard too. I just planted some and they don't look half as good as yours.
Happy summer,
Kippi
Lois says
Hi Kippi! It did take a few years for our hostas to grow in and look so pretty. Give yours time! Thanks for visiting.
Sarah @ The DIY Mommy says
Thanks for sharing these tips! Your garden is beautiful 🙂
Lois says
Thank you for visiting!
Sheila Lee says
I live in So CALIF 8 miles from the beach do you think I can grow them in shade. My garden is beautiful full of colorful flowers. If so where can I buy them from? Thank you yours are gorgeous.
Lois says
I sent you a personal email Sheila. You can purchase Hostas from any local nursery or even Lowes, Home Depot carry them. Thanks for visiting.
Terry says
I love hostas - one of my favorite plants in the garden. I also have to comment on your view - just stunning!
Lois says
Thank you! We love our view too! Thanks again for visiting.
Lynne Price says
Do you know the name of the variety that grows well in the sun? Your hostas look beautiful in your landscaping.
Shirley Wood says
Your Hosta are beautiful. I have never been able to get them to stay alive in our yard but we are moving soon and Hosta will be planted at the new house for sure! #merrymonday
Grammy Goodwill says
How does your husband cut them back? I've cut the flower stems before, but that's it. (I don't really care for them either.)
Nicole B. says
I have never tried to grow hostas, but I love their leafy, full look low to the ground. Your plants all look so pretty!
Kristi says
I love our Hostas and will be adding more soon. My favorite part is how well they do. They just seemed to do their own thing, and I don't have a green thumb so I love that aspect of them.
Krystal Butherus says
Those would be awesome at my home since right now we have DEAD bushes. I love how they grow!
Connie Tuggle Wehrwein says
I've just recently been learning about Hostas. Thanks for the tips.
Anonymous says
I think hostas are gorgeous in a garden. I really love the variegated ones and line them around my sidewalk for a splash of color. To me the best thing about them is how little care they require! 🙂