How to Grow Hostas So They Flourish and Thrive, According to Gardening Experts

Hostas are reliable perennials with beautiful foliage—and they're very easy to grow. As a result, these plants are very popular; since they thrive in the shade, they're perfect for the parts of your garden that don't get as much sun.

Of course, there are still a few things you should know about growing hostas. Here, we spoke with experts about all the important tips and tricks that will help your hostas to thrive.

Varieties

There are thousands of different hostas in an array of colors and patterns, so one is sure to strike your fancy. Steven D. Jones, founder of Fieldstone Gardens, grows over 200 varieties—here are three of his favorites:

Royal Standard

"My far and away favorite," says Jones, whose display gardens include many plantings of Royal Standard. "It's an oldie but a goodie."

"It has amazing, fragrant white flowers that appear mid-season," he adds, noting that while hostas are not typically sought after for their flowers, Royal Standard sets itself apart.

Whirlwind

Jones likes the way Whirlwind leaves twist—a look that makes it distinctive. "It adds a nice texture variation to your gardens," he says.

Minuteman

"It has a great contrast, with very dark green leaves surrounded by a wide, pure white margin," says Jones. "The colors add a nice flow to the overall shape of the hosta."

Planting

Hostas are not typically grown from seed in home gardens, and it's easy to obtain them as dormant bare root specimens or as active potted plants. Your planting process, then, is quite straightforward.

Planting a leafed-out, growing hosta from a pot is identical to any other transplanting process. A bare root version takes a little more effort, but all you have to do is dig a hole about twice as large as the hosta's root system, and carefully backfill around it while keeping the roots spread out. 

Care Instructions

Since hostas are so low-maintenance, they're a great choice for beginner gardeners and are relatively easy to care for. Here are a few things to watch out for when growing them.

Sunlight

Many garden plants require full sun, so it's nice to have solid, attractive, shade-loving plants that can bring life to areas beneath trees. However, Jeff Jabco, interim executive director of the Scott Arboretum and Gardens, warns not to embrace this benefit too enthusiastically.

"Hostas definitely are a shade plant, but they still like some bright light, indirect sunlight, or direct sun for just part of the day," he says. "All too often, people try to grow hostas in very dark, dense shade. They might live there, but they won't thrive in conditions that are too dark."  

Watering

Generally, an inch of water a week is a good starting point for hostas. "They're tolerant of most soils—except for soggy, wet soil," says Jones.

Soil

The soil needs for hostas aren't terribly challenging to meet, and they're fairly easy to grow.

"Hostas prefer a fertile soil that drains well, but still retains some moisture; that means a good topsoil that has organic matter incorporated in it," says Jabco. These plants may not thrive in soil that's poorly drained or overly compacted. "The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic," he adds.

Fertilizing

"If the soil has a good amount of organic matter in it, minimal fertilizing is required," says Jabco. An annual top dressing of compost around each plant in late winter or early spring should suffice.

"Another option would be to apply a small amount (1/4 cup) of an organic fertilizer around established plants," he says. "Organic fertilizers will slowly release nutrients into the soil and provide season-long nutrients for the plants."

Pruning 

Hostas aren't shrubs, so they don't grow year after year on the same woody stalks. Instead, they die back completely to ground level and regrow in the spring.

"Hostas don't get pruned as such, but they should be deadheaded after the flowers fade and drop off," says Jabco. "The entire flowering stalk should be cut back to the base of the plant. In autumn, after the leaves turn yellow, cut back any foliage that remains to ground level. The hosta will then grow new leaves the following spring from the crown."

Propagating

Hostas are often propagated through division, either in the spring or summer. Seed propagation is possible as well, but it usually leads to unpredictable results, as only Hosta ventricosa breeds true.

Instead, propagation via division is easy and effective. Hostas must be mature enough to divide; young plants with shoots still forming in the center should not be divided. For mature hostas, simply dig up and clean the root ball, then cut the clump. Ideally, each division will have at least three shoots. Replant your new divisions and water well.

Common Mistakes

They may be easy to grow, but there are still a few pitfalls that you should try and avoid when growing hostas. Here are some experts that warn against.

Rushing: "Patience and gardening go hand in hand," says Jones. "People often don't allow enough time for the plants to mature, especially the larger hostas, which require a few years of growth to really reach maturity. You'll be glad you waited."

Underestimating soil importance: "Remember that hostas prefer a well-drained soil, but because they are growing in the shade, they might also be competing for moisture with tree roots," says Jabco. "Occasional watering in very dry spells will be helpful."