How To Grow Hostas / RHS Gardening

When should I plant?

You can plant hostas at any time of year, but it’s best to avoid mid-summer when temperatures are high and the soil is often dry due to little rainfall.

Where should I plant?

All hostas give their best in moist soil in partial shade, whether in the ground or a container. In general, though, yellow-leaved cultivars prefer some sun, along with a few hosta that are tolerant of sunny conditions. Hostas like fertile soils including heavy clay, improved with the addition of garden compost or well-rotted manure. On drier soils, try hostas with thicker, waxier leaves as they are more tolerant. Unfortunately, hostas are not really suitable for dry soils or exposed, windy areas of the garden.

We have put together a guide to help you identify you soil type:

Identifying your soil type

Identifying your soil type

How do I plant hostas?

How you plant hostas will depend on where you’ve decided to grow:

In borders

Hostas are easy to plant and it takes just a few minutes. They are planted in the same way as other herbaceous perennials, but here are a few extra tips:

• Space plants up to 90cm (3ft) apart, depending on their ultimate height and spread (check the label and plant bigger ones further apart)

• ​Dig a planting hole the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide. Tease out (use your fingers to loosen) the roots and place in the hole before drawing back the soil and firming with your fingers

• Water in the plant to settle the soil and continue watering regularly, especially in dry weather, during the first summer. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter such as well-rotted garden compost or manure to conserve moisture

Planting perennials

Planting perennials

In Containers

Hostas can be planted in large containers 30-45cm (1ft-18in) in diameter. Choose a container with drainage holes. Use a peat-free multipurpose or loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No. 3. Plant the hosta so the top of the rootball sits at the same level it was in its previous pot. Water well and continue watering regularly when in leaf.

Miniature Hostas

Miniature hostas need good drainage and will do best in soil improved with the addition of garden compost. They are also suitable for rock gardens or containers and troughs. Mulching round plants with a layer of gravel not only looks good but also keeps soil from splashing up and spoiling the leaves. You can also plant miniature hostas successfully in containers (as above) for a diminutive display.

Rock gardening

Rock gardening