Hostas, also known as Plantain Lilies, are renowned for their lush, striking foliage. Often associated with shade gardens, these hardy perennials actually thrive with a little sunlight.
With over 30 species and hundreds of cultivars available, they offer incredible variety in size, color, and texture.
Whether you’re growing them in garden beds or containers, hostas are low-maintenance and perfect for adding structure and interest to shaded areas.
How To Grow Hostas
Easy to grow and with outstanding foliage, they are originally from Japan, China, and Korea, they grow best in morning sun and afternoon shade.
They also grow very well in pots or containers and for many growers this is the preferred method.
Sunlight and Light Requirements for Hostas
While hostas are considered shade-loving plants, they perform best in **dappled light or morning sun with afternoon shade**. Too much direct sun—especially the hot afternoon sun—can scorch their leaves, while deep shade can lead to poor growth and lackluster foliage.
Best Light Conditions
- Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal.
- Avoid intense, direct midday and afternoon sun.
- Variegated varieties often tolerate more light than solid-colored types.
- Blue-leaved hostas prefer more shade to maintain their unique coloring.
Best Soil for Hostas
Hostas grow best in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Soil should retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.
- Incorporate organic matter like compost or leaf mold.
- Avoid compacted clay soils—improve drainage before planting.
- Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) is ideal.
- Planting hostas in a well drained humus rich moist soil in part shade will ensure they will thrive.
Watering Requirements for Hostas:
Hostas appreciate consistent moisture but dislike soggy conditions . Overwatering can lead to crown rot and other fungal problems.
Watering Tips:
- Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells.
- Deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering.
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds—but don’t pile mulch against the crown.
Fertilising Hostas for Healthy Growth
To keep hostas thriving, feed them with a balanced fertiliser tailored for foliage plants.
Fertiliser Guidelines:
- In early spring, apply a slow-release fertiliser.
- Supplement monthly with a liquid seaweed or organic foliar feed.
- Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers that can promote soft, snail-attracting growth.
- Compost and worm castings can also be used as top dressings.
Temperature Guidelines
- Optimal growing range: 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F)
- Dormancy required: Cold winter temperatures (below 5°C / 41°F) help them rest and regenerate.
- Protect from extreme heat or frost heave in exposed areas.
Hosta Varieties To Try
With varieties ranging from petite to giant, there’s a hosta for every garden.
- ‘Hosta sieboldiana’ Large, textured blue-green leaves.
- Minuteman is another popular variety with a medium green foliage with cream margins, from the species Hosta Fortunei.
- ‘Sum and Substance’ has large green textured heart shaped leaves, an outstanding plant.
- Hosta ‘White Feather’ is the only white cultivar we have heard about, said to be a Hosta ‘Undulata’ sport, foliage opens white and turns to a yellow / green
- Hosta Halcyon is another favourite.
- Hosta ‘Mouse Ears‘ A Dwarf form with thick, rounded leaves, perfect for pots.
Dividing Hostas
Dividing hostas is essential for maintaining vigor and managing clump size.
When to Divide:
- Late autumn or early spring during dormancy is best.
- Every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding.
How to Divide:
- Dig up the entire clump.
- Use a sharp knife, hori hori or spade to split the crown into sections.
- Replant each section immediately and water well.
Pest and Disease Control
Hostas are relatively disease-resistant but **snails and slugs** are the biggest threat.
Control Measures:
- Use copper tape around pots.
- Sprinkle wood ash, dry mulch, or sawdust as barriers.
- Clean up spent foliage in autumn to remove hiding spots.
- Beer traps and hand-picking can also be effective.
Growing Hostas in Pots
Hostas grow beautifully in containers, making them ideal for patios or small spaces.
Container Tips:
- Use a large enough pot to hold the plant/clump with a little extra room for growth. Choose a pot with drainage holes.
- Fill with a premium potting mix enriched with compost .
- Water consistently and feed with a liquid fertiliser .
- Repot or divide every 2–3 years as the plant outgrows the pot.
Hosta Care – Summary Information and notes
- They need protection from snails, especially the finer leafed species, try copper tape around the pots as a means of deterring snails and slugs
- Hostas do not actually need lots of water, they need a humus rich moist but well drained soil, overwatering can cause problems
- They do need regular fertiliser, a slow release general purpose fertiliser in spring and some regular watering with a liquid seaweed fertiliser seems to do the trick
- Hostas do not like hot afternoon sun, nor do they like really deep shade. Filtered light or morning sun, afternoon shade is best for most species.
- As foliage dies back it is a good idea to ‘clean up’ clumps, remove spent flower heads and old foliage to allow air flow, and to get rid of the hiding places for slugs and snails.
- Hostas can be divided in early spring, larger clumps can become congested, and in pots they will exhaust the potting mix.
- They do flower, however it is usually the foliage that they are grown for.
Best time to buy:
Late winter to early spring — You can buy dormant bare-root plants or potted stock ready for planting.
Where To Buy
Little Hampton, Vic 345
"Mail order nursery specialising in cottage garden perennials, flowering shrubs, Trilliums, Hostas and Pacific Coast Iris. Flat rate express postage - Except WA & TAS"
www.botanicaltreasures.com
138 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
"Large range of rare and unusual plants.."
www.gentiananursery.com.au
www.planterspatch.com.au
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
WOODBRIDGE NURSERY
PO Box 90 Woodbridge TAS 7162
Over 350 species & cultivars includes bulbs, perennials, and succulents all available via mail order.
Suitable Climate Zones for Growing Hostas
Hostas grow across a range of climates but perform best where summers are mild and winters are cold enough for dormancy.
Australia:
- Best suited to cool and temperate zones (e.g., Tasmania, Southern Victoria, parts of NSW).
- In warmer areas (QLD, WA), plant in deep shade and provide regular watering.
- Dormancy may be reduced in tropical zones.
United Kingdom:
- Grow well in zones H4–H7 (RHS hardiness scale) .
- Suitable across most of England, Scotland, and Wales.
- Mulch in colder regions to protect roots.
United States:
- Thrive in USDA Zones 3–9 .
- Ideal for the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and Upper Midwest .
- Southern states: choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide ample shade.