Growing Healthy Hostas
By M. Juan

Hostas are fast becoming the plant of choice for many gardeners’ landscapes. Not only are they attractive, with their huge leaves in various combinations of green and shades of gold or blue and their beautiful blooms in summer with spikes of lavender to white, lily-like flowers, they are also very easy to grow.

Hostas do best in shade gardens that do not receive too much heat. Hostas are best grown in zone 3 through 9 and most can tolerate average minimum temperatures of -40 to +20 F ( -40 to -6.7 C ) to highs of 90 to 100+ F ( 32 to 37 C ). Planting hostas in southern areas of the U.S. means an increase in the amount of water and shade you will need to provide. Mulching is a good way to help keep the roots moist.

To grow beautiful hostas begin by finding an area of your yard that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Beware that growing hostas in an area where there is full afternoon sun can cause the edges of the hosta leaves to slightly burn.

Once you have found the perfect spot for your hostas dig a hole about the same depth as the container the hosta came in, around a foot deep. Next, loosen the root ball around the hosta and place in the hole spacing each hosta at least 2-4 feet apart. Make sure you have chosen a spot where your soil drains well and is slightly acidic.

The best soil pH level for hostas is between 6.5–7.5. This level of acidity can be achieved by amending your soil with organic matter, such as dry leaves and well-rotted manure, or lowering the acidity level by mixing the soil with Canadian peat moss and cottonseed meal.

After placing your hosta in the hole water the area well, making sure the water has reached deep to the newly planted roots, also check for drainage so that the hostas do not drown in soil that is too wet.

To maintain your hostas make sure they receive a minimum of an inch of water each week, early morning watering is recommended along with occasional sprinkling of general purpose fertilizer from time to time, which is not absolutely necessary but will promote bigger, healthier leaves.