How To Divide Hosta Plants

Hostas have a clumping root system, so to divide a plant, simply cut through the clump with a knife from the crown down. You can also pry apart the root clump with garden tools, but this won’t give you as much precision. Cutting through the roots is fine, as hostas roots quickly regrow once transplanted.

What time of year do you split hostas?

The best season to divide or transplant hostas is in the spring because temperatures are cooler in and the foliage hasn’t developed yet, so plants won’t be water stressed. Dividing hostas is also possible the in early fall, as long as there is time for plants to reestablish themselves before winter.

When can hostas be split and transplanted?

Splitting hostas is best done in spring or early fall. Ideally, plan on dividing hostas before spring or fall rains arrive. Hostas suffer most when they lose roots, so as with transplanting hostas, dig as much of the rootball as possible.

How often should you divide hostas?

You’ll know your hostas need to be divided when they get too crowded and the center of a clump starts to die out. As a general rule, count on dividing the plants every three to four years to keep them at their healthiest. Some slow-growing varieties may need more time before they’re ready for division.

How do you thin out hostas?

To thin a hosta plant, divide the clump into separate sections, each of which can be replanted to start a new plant. Though you can divide a hosta any time the ground is workable, it’s best to do it in the spring just as the leaves emerge from the ground, or in the fall about six weeks before the first expected frost.

Do hostas like sun or shade?

HOSTAS FOR SHADE It’s for good reason—hostas absolutely love shade. Indeed, they languish in the hot afternoon sun so your shady landscape will provide them just the right conditions.

What is a hosta eye?

Eye A growing shoot from the crown, supporting 1 (rare) to perhaps 12 leaves. The new eyes are evident as conical projections from the crown in early spring. Also sometimes called divisions, but this is confusing when referring to a plant that has just been divided.

Can you split and replant hostas in the spring?

Hostas grow very quickly, so you want to divide the plants to keep them healthy. They grow from spring through fall, so the best time to divide is either early spring or in the fall.

How do you thin hostas in the spring?

The easiest way to divide is to tie or tape the leaves up and then dig up the entire plant. Then you can cut off your division, and replant the plant and the division. Keep the tape or string on the plant for at least a week and water well. This will help it look better and the leaves not weep and die off.

Can you transplant hostas in April?

The best time to transplant hostas is in the spring, but that’s really because it’s easier on you, the gardener, than on the transplant. Hosta plants always need plenty of water and the trauma of transplant, no matter how slight, increases that need.

How deep do you plant hostas?

How to Plant Hostas Dig a hole, at least 12 inches deep and 1½ times the size of the mature plant. Mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic matter. Carefully remove the plant from its container. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.

Can you grow hostas from leaf cuttings?

Hostas are tough, ornamental plants that thrive in the shade. They are extremely easy to propagate by division, but surprisingly that is not the only way to multiply them–You just need a leaf-cutting to create a whole new plant!Sep 15, 2020.

Do hostas spread?

Small varieties spread three times as wide as they are tall. Medium-size varieties spread twice their height, and the larger varieties are at least as wide as they are tall. Hostas are disease-resistant, but their succulent leaves are no match for slugs and snails.

How long can hostas survive out of the ground?

Hostas can be quite resilient and can survive for several hours out of the ground. When the soil and the roots of the hosta plant are noticeably dry, it is recommended to soak the clump in water for 2 hours or more.

Do hostas multiply?

The answer is division. That’s when you take one long-lived plant and cut or pull apart the roots to create more of the same. In fact, instead of division, they should call it multiplication. Say you have a shady area in your yard where grass won’t grow, and you have a lone hosta growing in the corner of your yard.

What is the best fertilizer for hostas?

Best Fertilizer For Hostas The best hosta plant food is a slow release NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer. Those three numbers stand for the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in the fertilizer. Slow release fertilizers feed the plant each time it rains or the plant is watered.

What happens if you don’t cut back hostas?

The fall’s first freeze will kill your hosta leaves and turn your beautiful plant into a brown, unattractive eyesore. Brown leaves are not the only reason to trim back your hostas. Cutting off dead leaves prevents disease, insects and slugs from hiding out in your plants during the winter.

Do hosta plants like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds can be used to mulch plants that slugs love to feast on, such as hostas, ligularias and lilies. Try them for daffodils and other spring bulbs as well.

How do you keep hostas from getting bigger?

Mulch your new plants Spread a 2-inch layer of shredded bark mulch around the plants, leaving 1 to 2 inches around the plant stalk free of mulch to avoid rot and infestation problems.

Can you move hostas in June?

Spring is the best time to transplant hostas, although they’re so hardy that planting any time from spring through summer should work out. Avoid transplanting hostas in summer during the hottest months, as this could cause stress on the hostas if not done properly.

Can I dig up plants and replant?

You can dig up most plants, but the bigger the plant, the harder it is to accomplish. If you are dividing the mature roots of a small shrub, a garden fork may be the only tool you need to tease the roots out of the ground. Then, slice the roots into several chunks with a garden saw or bread knife.