The ideal pH for hostas is between 6 and 6.5. Fill the bottom of the pot with gravel, broken pot or polystyrene to ensure the drainage holes are not blocked with soil and roots. You’ll have to water hostas in containers much more than you would if you planted them the traditional way in the ground. Make sure that when you plant your hosta in your pot that you have less than 3 inches of space between the roots and the sides of the container. Simply put, it’s a garden where all of your hostas go into pots or containers instead of in the ground. Need Help? When it’s time to repot, the easiest thing you can do is lay the pot on its side when the plant is dormant. How to grow hostas. Since its white, waxy flowers are fragrant, they are best grown near living areas andpatios in containers and beds. You can bury it in the ground, but you can usually get away with adding a two or three-inch layer of mulch on the top of the pot and leaving it until spring. Tuck a few daffodil or other bulbs deep into the container for a welcome bright spot in spring. You can find their mature size on the tag when you purchase it. For warmer climates, you could put them into a root cellar or in a cooler and dark basement to mimic the proper dormant requirements. In lieu of soil testing, choosing a 10-10-10 fertilizer for hostas is a safe bet. Hosta roots grow horizontally instead of vertically, so you want the pot to have a diameter that is no more than three-inches wider than the current root size. A small pot may require more frequent waterings, but it’s best for the overall health of the plant. Make sure the container has adequate drainage. Make sure the container has enough drainage holes and fill the pot with potting mix. Fill the pot with your choice of soil mix. If you’re wondering what kind of fertilizer to use, here’s the answer. First, set the pot in an area in your yard that gets dappled sunlight. You could even add a light layer of mulch to help retain the moisture to keep your plant happy. The flower stalks are not the star of the show, but they will add architectural height and in some cases, fragrance, to containers. This is particularly nice in the spring and summer months when everything starts to bloom and grow. Wait until it’s summertime and your hostas need a bigger pot. Some people leave them out in the elements but tip the containers on their sides to allow the water to drain. To dig a hosta for transplanting, if you're working in early spring, simply dig as much of the rootball as possible. When planting hostas, keep in mind: Hosta 'Whirlwind' adds interest to a container planting with its upright growth habit. If you set them in a saucer, empty it every time you water or it rains. Unless soil tests indicate a nitrogen deficiency, it’s advisable to avoid using excessive amounts of a high nitrogen fertilizer for hostas. Optimal soil for hostas quick guide: All this, and a bonus of blooms in late summer. The mix changed slightly to include more peat for smaller pots. A few of my absolute favorites include: One of my favorite containers for hostas is the Countryside Flower Box Planter. My personal favorite hosta soil is one we used in the nursery. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Command Medium-Clear Hooks with Clear Strips (6-Pack), Buy Clorox 121 oz. The first thing to do is plant hostas in large containers so that the roots are not entangled. Plant hostas in evenly moist, humus-rich soil in light to full shade. You can purchase mixes like this or you can add them in later. Most gardeners will, even if you’re brand new. Grow hostas in large pots so the compost dries out less frequently. USDA Zone: 3-8. Pull off the large roots wrapped around the root ball and use your fingers to pry the center mass apart. For established hosta plants, consider retesting the soil every 3 to 5 years. These shade-loving plants are primarily grown for their beautiful foliage. For a full look, plant hostas within a couple of inches of the container's rim. Just about any planter will do, but urns look especially nice with hosta. Hostas are one group that does exceptionally well. Growing hostas in urns elevates them from the slugs and snails that like to dine on their foliage. How Much Does Walk-In Tub Installation Cost? First off, you can start your hostas in containers from mature plants or bulbs. The complete answer is more complicated than this. Look at the root ball and make sure that the pot is around one-inch better. When temperatures get lower than that, you’ll have to protect them to keep the roots from freezing. I know I started out putting my hostas in a shaded garden bed, but it has hit or miss how well they did due to the sunlight exposure. Hostas are also one plant that loves water, so you want to water them really well after you plant them in your hypertufa trough or planter. Choose a planting site. Cut the smaller pot away from the plant, remove it, loosen your plant’s roots, and add new soil. You want to create a marriage of the perfect plants and containers when you start planting hostas in pots. Miracle grow is a great choice. Dappled shade is the best thing for this plant, especially when it gets afternoon shade and morning sun. They need to go dormant to grow each year.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-leader-3-0')}; Putting giant hostas in containers and having them grow works the same way as it does for small or medium-sized plants. Water Hostas in the Morning (Not in the Evening) This is one of the easiest tips to implement yet it … Add a light layer of mulch or sheet moss dampened with water across the top. The roots will have room to spread out and display the leaves. How do you keep hostas in pots over winter? Let’s talk about some growing tips. Don’t fill it completely just yet, though. They also let you put them in places that traditionally wouldn’t drain well enough to allow your hostas to thrive. When you pick out your pot, make sure you leave two or three inches of room between the pot wall and the plant itself. How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom? When choosing hosta plants for your containers, look for the smaller varieties like Whirlwind and save the massive specimens for the landscape. Look at the hosta’s mature size guidelines when you pick out a pot. Bark, grit, and perlite make wonderful additions. Slide the smaller pot into the larger one and heave them upright. They need soil that drains well and will stay evenly moist. Tri-colored violas, sometimes called Johnny Jump-Ups, complement the hosta and flowering kale. Perlite, bark, and grit are some of the additives that can be used. Want to learn more about hosta? Heavy clay soils or sandy soil require amending with materials such as compost, leaf mould or manure to a depth of 16 inches before planting hostas. Concentrated Germicidal Bleach, Buy AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit (7-Pod). For the best results, use a water-soluble or slow-release fertilizer. It consisted of 10 parts Douglas fir bark, 1 part pumice (double screened) and 1 part coir or peat moss, along with some fertilizer and insecticide. And best of all, at the end of the growing season, they can be planted back into the landscape to be used again next year! I put them in my shed or garage, where it’s about the same temperature as you’d get outside. Since Hostas don’t often grow true from seeds, dividing them is the best way to propagate them. If you’re tired of solid hues or even bicolors, this tricolor hosta is the answer. Just about any planter will do, but urns look especially nice with hosta. Yes, hostas can grow very well in pots under the correct circumstances. Best Soil for Hostas. And with proximity to the house, hosta-seeking deer may look elsewhere for a snack. I like: These hostas won’t take over the trough or container. All Rights Reserved. The only difference is the container size and how you repot them. But, you don’t have to be very elaborate either. Fertilize your hostas at least once a month because you’ll wash a lot of it away with the frequent waterings. To plant your hostas in containers: Fill the base of the pot you’ve chosen with rocks for drainage. Pop the hosta into your container and pack it with potting mix. Stop fertilizing them two months before it freezes. One 2L-pot plant should fill a 40-45cm diameter pot within two or three years, unless it’s a very compact variety. Use a Best Buy compost for pots and add a Best Buy controlled-release fertiliser. Doing all of this will increase your chances of having beautiful hostas in pots all season long! Height/Width: 18-24 inches ; 36-60 inches. Once you plant your hostas in pots, they’ll need time before you divide or move them. Mostly … First, most experts recommend choosing a pot that is somewhat on the small size for the mature size of the plant. © 2000-2021 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Tiny, small, and medium hostas do wonderfully in containers. Hosta plants not only survive in containers, they thrive in them! What makes a good container hosta? Fill an early spring container with the best of the season: hostas, Shasta daisy and violas. Hostas are some of the most popular perennials in the world. Buy General Equipment Company 1 Man Auger Rental M240H, Dri-Eaz PRO Compact Dehumidifier 23 G/Day Rental F413, RIDGID Pipe Threader 1/2\" 2\" Rental 36475, Hostas in containers thrive in light or moderate shade. The lightweight plastic design is very durable, and it won’t fade to keep it looking nice for years to come.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; I told you how to set up your hosta, but there are a few quick things you can do to help keep it healthy. First, you should choose a pot that is on the smaller side for the mature size of the plant. Ignoring Slug Issues. Hostas vary in price from less than $6 a plant for common types at home and garden centers to $25 or more for the latest and greatest from specialty catalogs. Any kind of general potting soil will do which already has all of the above. Good organic matter for hostas includes aged manure or compost, peat moss, and leaf mulch. If you care for it correctly, there’s no reason why you can use it year after year without it breaking down. Cut it to size and cut slits in the fabric and then add the soil to hold it in place.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0')}; Whatever you choose, make sure your plastic, terracotta, or vintage containers are big enough for the hosta clump. I like soil that has a mixture of particles sizes, and I like to add in pumice or bark chunks to keep the soil from compressing too much around the roots. Growing hostas in containers is an easy task because they are easy to tend and come in thousands of options that make them the perfect plant for distracted, new, or busy gardeners.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; When you’re growing hostas in pots, use a standard potting soil as the growing medium and water the plant into your pot. Allow a few weeks for the plants to settle in, then feed with a. Splitting hostas is best done in spring or early fall. With their scene-stealing foliage, they add interest to flower beds, patios and porches. This is why when people ask me how to grow hostas in containers, I always ask how much time they have. Deeper watering encourages deeper and stronger roots, so water them every other day during the hotter months. When to plant hostas You can plant hostas all year round, but spring and autumn are preferable. Never use garden soil, and consider a fast-draining medium. Buy Hostas direct from the grower / breeder...Best Hosta Nursery in … Remove plants from nursery container. Hostas come in solid colors, or in variegated combinations. Putting your hostas in containers gives you a quick and easy way to move them around to catch the perfect amount of sun with minimal effort. So, how do you plant hostas in pots, exactly? Many of the smaller Hostas will do quite well in containers… 3 Great Perennials To Grow In Pots Hosta Plants. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. If you’re interested in starting to grow hostas in pots, let’s dive in!if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; The short answer is yes, but it’s not that simple. Small or miniature hostas are the most popular sizes that people purchase for planting and growing like this, and they’re very easy for beginner gardeners to care for. You could go smaller and choose individual containers for all of your hostas (but this can get overwhelming as you get a knack for it and have dozens of them).if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-narrow-sky-1-0')};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-raintreegardens_com-narrow-sky-1-0_1')}; .narrow-sky-1-multi-112{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Water it thoroughly. Potting mix also drains water better and absorbs it better than garden soil, and this helps feed your hostas so they can grow in this confined space. Hosta thrive in rich, well-draining potting mix. It has small feet so it’s not sitting directly on the ground, and there are plenty of drainage holes. Buy hostas as dormant, bare-root divisions or potted plants in the spring. Therefore, if you grow hostas in pots, you have to pay more attention to them. Yes. Some gardeners prefer to grow hostas in containers. Double-check that there is adequate drainage in the pot because hostas like water, but they don’t like sitting in water. I personally like old iron animal troughs because I can set them up besides my walkway up to my house and fill them with small hostas. Colors: Bright green. Give container a good drink of water and set in partial shade. And with proximity to the house, hosta-seeking deer may look elsewhere for a snack.