Content

• Steps
• Advice

Hosta is a perennial plant characterized by large leaves, plump foliage and small flowers. Hostas thrive in the shade, but many varieties also require a certain amount of light. Most gardeners will buy hostas from a bonsai store or nursery when you want to plant more hostas in your garden, but you can separate your existing plants or plant seeds to multiply them.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prepare soil for planting

1. 

   Wait for a good time. Hostas are not too sensitive to cold, so you can plant them as soon as the soil is warm enough to work in spring. Spring and late summer are ideal times to plant hostas, as this is the period of strong growth, and the plants will take root easily.
   • If you plan to plant it in the late summer, plant it at least six weeks before the first frost.

2. 

   
   
   Choose a location with the right shade. Hostas are shade-loving plants and require very little sun - though they won't thrive in full shade. The best location for hostas is where there is no strong winds and hail, shady between noon and 4pm and receive indirect light.
   • You can plant hostas under large trees to protect them from sun, wind, and hail. Remember not to plant too close to the roots of the tree so that the hosta plant does not have to compete for nutrients.
   • The degree of hosta shade preferred depends on the variety. In general, plants with yellow leaves can withstand the sun more than plants with white, blue, or green leaves. Blue hostas need sun protection the most.
   • Hostas also do well in corners of buildings that still have a bit of sunshine.

3. 

   
   
   Adjusting and tilling the soil. Turn the plot of soil you intend to plant to a depth of about 20 cm using a hand tiller, tiller or hoe. Adjust the soil with organic matter that loosens the soil, prevents rodents and slightly increases soil acidity.
   • Suitable organic materials for hostas include compost or compost, peat moss, and leaf mulch.
   • The ideal pH for hostas is between 6 and 6.5.
   • The hosta tree does not require large space. If you're going to plant individual plants, the planting hole should only be about as wide as the root size.
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Part 2 of 3: Planting trees

1. 

   
   
   Soak the plant. Sometimes the hosta tree brought back from the nursery is contained in a bag with bare roots. In this case, it is important to soak the roots to prepare the plant for planting.
   • Choose a bucket slightly smaller than the top of the tree.
   • Fill the bucket with cold water. Hold the tops of the plants over the top of the bucket so that the roots are soaked in the water below. Do the same for each tree.
   • Soak the plant for at least an hour before planting. If you haven't planted it right away, just soak the plant in water to keep the roots moist.

2. 

   Remove the roots. Just before planting, remove the plant from the bucket and gently remove the roots with your hands. Carefully brush the root fibers with your fingers to keep them from tangling and make sure all the strands are stretched in the correct direction in which they grew.
   • Hostas are susceptible to root problems, especially potted plants. The tree may become constricted if you keep trying to plant the tree in the soil with the tangled roots.

3. 

   Dig holes and plant trees. Dig one hole for each tree in the prepared soil with a width of about 75 cm and a depth of 30 cm. Place each tree in each soil hole, making sure the roots are not tangled. Fill the hole with loose soil, but do not compress the soil around the roots. Make sure to just cover the roots with the soil, and all the tops of the plants are above the ground.
   • Water thoroughly for each tree right after planting.
   • Plant hostas spaced wide enough to allow maximum plant growth. This distance depends on the hosta variety. If you are unsure, leave a space of 75 cm between the plants.
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Part 3 of 3: Caring for healthy plants

1. 

   Spread the surface coating. The mulch will help keep the soil moist, prevent weeds and protect the plant from rodents. After you've planted the tree, spread a mulch on the ground around the plant.
   • The ideal garden cover material for a hosta tree is the bark, pine needles, or the rotten leaves.

2. 

   Provide a constant moisture to the plant. Water well after planting. Maintain an even and constant humidity throughout the life of the plant. Trees that are exposed to the sun need even more water to prevent leaf burns.
   • Provide hostas with 2.5 cm of water per week during its growing season in spring and summer.

3. 

   Prune dead leaves in the fall. Hostas will go into hibernation during the fall and winter, meaning they won't grow and don't need a lot of nutrients. When autumn comes, prune the hosta tree by pruning the dead or yellow leaves.
   • The withered leaves continue to absorb the plant's nutrients, so you can help save energy by removing these leaves in the fall.

4. 

   Prepare the plant for the winter. Hostas are tough plants and will survive the winter, but they have a lot more chance of thriving if they are prepared for the cold months. After the ground freezes, cover the ground around the plant with fallen leaves and cover the top of the tree with more leaves.
   • Leave the mulch on the hostas until the last spring frost is over.
   • Covering the plant with organic material is also a good way to retain heat and moisture in the soil.
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Advice

• Hostas generally do not need fertilizer, often the only nutrient the plant may need is nitrogen.
• You can also plant hostas in pots. Choose a flower pot of the right size for the plant: Only leave a space that does not exceed 5-7.5 cm above the longest roots. Spread a layer of gravel on the bottom of the plant's pot to ensure good drainage.