Hostas are hardy, long-lived perennials that bring colour and structure to shady parts of the garden. Planted in the right spot, a hosta grows into a fuller clump every year. This guide explains how to plant and care for the bare-root divisions we deliver; each step links to an in-depth guide if you want to know more.
In short
- When: plant in spring, as soon as your plants arrive (we ship 1 March – 1 July).
- Where: shade or partial shade; gold hostas can take morning sun.
- Soil: humus-rich, moist but well-drained.
- Depth: the crown (where the buds start) level with the soil surface or 2–3 cm below it.
- Spacing: about 30 cm for small, 50 cm for medium and 75–100 cm for large varieties.
- Care: keep moist in the first year, mulch, and protect young shoots from slugs.
1. When your plants arrive
Open the box straight away. Bare-root hostas should be planted as soon as possible. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 1–2 hours before planting. If you have to wait a few days, keep the plants in a cool, frost-free place out of the sun and keep the roots slightly moist. More in our guide to bare-root hostas and when to plant hostas.
2. Choose the right spot
- Most hostas grow best in shade or partial shade.
- Blue-leaved hostas keep their colour best in shade.
- Yellow and gold hostas colour best with some morning sun; avoid hot afternoon sun.
- Sun-tolerant varieties can take more light if the soil stays moist. See our sun-tolerant hostas.
How much light each type takes is explained in sun or shade: where to plant hostas; for dry shade, see hostas under trees.
3. Prepare the soil
Hostas like humus-rich soil that stays moist but drains well. Loosen the soil to a spade's depth and mix in compost or well-rotted manure. On heavy clay, add extra compost; on sandy soil, add compost to hold moisture. Our guide to soil for hostas shows how to test and improve your soil.
4. Plant
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the roots.
- Spread the roots out over a small mound of soil in the hole.
- Place the plant so that the crown, where the buds start, is level with the soil surface or 2–3 cm below it.
- Fill the hole, press the soil gently and water well.
- Give each plant room to grow: about 30 cm for small varieties, 50 cm for medium varieties and 75–100 cm for large varieties.
Planting a whole bed? See our shade border ideas, what to plant with hostas and hostas as ground cover.
5. Water and feed
Keep the soil moist, especially in the first year and in dry periods. Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves. A layer of mulch helps to keep the soil moist and cool. In spring you can give some organic fertiliser or compost. How much and how often: watering hostas; what to expect in the first season: your hosta's first year.
6. Protect against slugs and snails
Young shoots in spring are the favourite food of slugs and snails. Check your plants regularly, especially after rain, and protect them in time. Varieties with thick leaves are less sensitive; see our slug-resistant hostas. What really works, and what does not, is in our guide to slugs and snails on hostas.
7. Hostas in pots
Hostas grow very well in pots. Use a large pot with drainage holes and good potting soil, and water regularly: plants in pots dry out faster. In winter, move pots against a sheltered wall so the roots do not freeze through. Pot sizes, compost and winter care: hostas in pots.
8. Autumn and winter
Hostas die back in autumn and come up again in spring. They are hardy in most of Europe. Remove the old leaves after the first frosts. If a hosta is slow to reappear in spring, see hosta not coming up?
9. Dividing
Large clumps can be divided in early spring, just when the new shoots appear. Lift the clump, cut it into pieces with a sharp spade, each with roots and buds, and replant them straight away. This way you get new plants for free. Step by step: dividing hostas; clean your tools between plants to avoid spreading Hosta Virus X.
Frequently asked questions about planting
My hosta has no leaves yet. Is it alive?
Bare-root divisions start with buds only. After planting, the first shoots usually appear within a few weeks, depending on the weather. Keep the soil moist and be patient. See what to check if a hosta is not coming up.
Why are the leaves getting brown edges?
Usually too much sun or too little water. Move the plant to more shade next spring or water more often in dry periods.
Why is my blue hosta turning green?
The blue colour comes from a waxy coating that wears off in sun and later in the season. Blue hostas keep their colour longest in shade.
How long does a hosta take to reach its full size?
Most hostas reach their mature size in 3–5 years. Large and giant varieties take the longest.
Which hosta should I choose?
Start with the space and the light, then the colour. Our guide to hosta varieties explains sizes, colours and the best varieties for beginners.