What Are Hosta Plants

Hostas are shade tolerant perennials that are extremely hardy and require very little maintenance. They are shade tolerant, not shade loving. Most hostas prefer a bright east facing area with a few hours of direct morning sun. Some hosta cultivars depending on their lineage can handle quite a bit of sun.

What is hosta plant good for?

Hostas are known for their use in brightening shady spaces, adding texture and color to challenging spaces in the garden. While hostas are usually termed “shade-tolerant” plants, meaning they will grow in shade or partial shade, some cultivars actually tolerate partially sunny spaces.

Do hosta plants come back every year?

Hostas are perennials, which means they will come back bigger and better every year. Most hostas grow well in Zones 3 to 9. These versatile shade plants form a mound of leaves but vary greatly by variety, offering differences in plant size, leaf shape, and leaf color.

Are hostas shade or sun plants?

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.

Why do people plant hostas?

Hostas fill a very important landscape niche, (actually habitat), in the shade garden. They offer luxuriant tropical foliage in a wide variety of sizes and colors in parts of the country where tropical plants are not hardy. Hostas appeal to the collector in all of us. We can collect them by color.

Is hosta an indoor plant?

Hostas are a leafy, shade-loving perennial that will please any client with their lush foliage and delicate flowers. Many characteristics make hostas work for indoor plant arrangements. Hostas also grow well in containers and do not require direct light, making it possible to grow them indoors.

Can hostas grow in pots?

Hostas are among those perennials that do very well growing in the confines of containers. They come in thousands of cultivars and they are easy to care for, making them the perfect plant for busy or distracted gardeners. But any size hosta can be grown in a container.

Can hostas winter in pots?

Large potted hostas will normally overwinter well. The above large The Shining hosta is planted in a plastic red pot. Here is Zone 6, it survives the winter without being taken into an unheated shed, garage or greenhouse.

How tall do hostas get?

Hosta genus name Hosta plant type Perennial height Under 6 inches 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet width Up to 8 feet flower color Purple White.

Are hostas poisonous to dogs?

Hostas: Hostas are popular for being a low-maintenance plant. They grow fast and require very little attention. The toxins glycoside saponins are what make Hostas poisonous for pets.

Are hostas fragrant?

A notable exception are hosta varieties that possess fragrant flowers. Fragrant flowering hostas should be planted near a patio, deck or walk so their fragrance can be fully appreciated. Their fragrance is most noticeable on quiet, summer evenings.

Are hostas easy to grow?

Hostas are hardy perennials that are especially perfect for a garden that doesn’t get too much sun. Reliable and easy to grow, hostas are long-lived—and may even outlive the gardener! Plant in the spring and cut back in the fall after a few frosts.

How often should I water hostas?

Like many perennial plants, watering a hosta deeply will be imperative – on average, they require about an inch (2.5 cm.) of water each week. By establishing a weekly watering schedule, plants can develop a more robust root system that is better able to access water deep in the soil.

Do hosta plants 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.

Can you eat hostas?

Hostas are edible when young and sheltering when older. In fact, the Japanese have been eating hostas safely for centuries. Known as urui, they’re commonly boiled, fried in tempura or eaten raw. With a flavor reminiscent of lettuce and asparagus, they can easily be substituted in salads.

Do hostas prevent weeds?

Plants like hosta and coral bells can be tucked into small areas around trees and shrubs to control weeds. Its roots put a chemical in the soil that repels weeds like couch grass, bindweed and creeping charlie.

How long do hostas live?

Hostas require little care and will live to be 30 or more years if properly cared for. While most known for thriving in the shade garden, the reality is more nuanced. The ideal situation is dappled shade.

Where do hostas grow best?

Where to Plant Hostas. To plant hostas, select a spot that receives partial to full shade. Most types of hostas can withstand morning sun but prefer a shady setting. It’s important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that’s fertile and full of organic matter.

How do you care for hostas?

Hosta Plant Care Placement. Hostas grow best in partial shade, and can tolerate very shady areas. Planting. Hostas prefer loose well-drained soil, usually garden soil amended with compost or soil conditioners. Watering. Keep well watered. Fertilizer. Dividing. Mulch. Potting. Maintenance.

Do hostas flower?

Hostas bloom for about three weeks, usually somewhere between May and September, depending on the variety. Each plant sends up several long stalks, called scapes, with flower buds along its length. Each flower only lasts a day when it opens.

What plants go well with hostas?

Astilbe, ferns, geraniums, and shady-friendly bulbs are great companions for hostas. Two of our favorites: bleeding hearts and heuchera. Bleeding heart (dicentra) plants provide delicate flowers and elegant, arching branches — the perfect contrast to bold, shiny, or variegated hosta plants.

Can you put hostas in hanging baskets?

Hosta. Hosta are often grown in shady flower beds but can also grow well in a hanging basket for the shade.