You Can Save That Hosta!

2 Materials
Okay, it is that time of the year and you walk out into your garden and you see your hosta has fallen over and you pick it up to discover that the roots have been eaten. What do you do?
Do not throw it out!
Have you tried to separate your hosta clump and you broke one of the leaves off and it has no roots...
can you save it?
Most likely the answer is YES!
I have have saved hostas for years that have been attacked by voles and other critters and even ones that I have harmed in my quest to divide them. It is so easy to do and only requires (rain) water and a glass jar, vase, or other container.
Voles love the roots of hostas. With this information I know that I have to walk the gardens and pay close attention to any size of distress on any of my plants. If I notice a high activity of moles tunnels (the dogs digging trenches is a sure sign) then I am extra vigilant about walking around checking out my hostas as well as my other plants.
Rooting the hostas takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks so be patient and make sure the water level stays constant in the jar/vase. After it has rooted, then either plant it in a pot or move it back to the ground.
So do not panic if you find a plant distress do not just throw it out!
Happy gardening everyone!
and check out my blog!
6/14/14 first hosta of the season-found this the other day leaning over
Notice there are a few small white roots-this is a great sign! Put this in a vase with just enough water to go about 2" above the roots. In about 6 weeks this will be ready to plant again.
Sitting on my potting bench-patiently waiting and checking for the plants to be ready to either go in a pot or in the ground.
5/21/14 I divided this hosta and these leaves broke off but the crown of the root is still in tact (the end which has no roots that you see here in pic). This is still viable and can easily be rooted without any chemicals.
6/2/14 Roots are appearing-this is exciting when this happens.
6/14/14 Roots have grown about an 1 1/2" now. I will wait another couple weeks to put in a pot. You could even put this in a pot now and keep it moist and do not let it dry out.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 29 questions
  • Pat Ethridge Pat Ethridge on Aug 22, 2022

    39.2 centigrade is what in Fahrenheit

  • Dan88953307 Dan88953307 on Jan 26, 2024

    Can you grow hostas indoors,live in Nova Scotia. If can should I plant in front of window,lots ofsun


  • R R on Mar 29, 2024

    Anyone have a way to keep the Deer from destroying them. I had 50 years worth all over my yard and year by year they eat them and they just kept growing back smaller and smaller. There are practically none left.

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  • Anne Anne on Jun 27, 2023

    Thank you for your tips, our hostas are over 3’ high now simply gorgeous. Finally the rabbits don’t eat the leaves any longer……I have been spraying a mixture of cayenne pepper and vinegar. This does not harm the plants. Our dog also doesn’t go near. It works for us.

    1 cup of vinegar and 5-6 tablespoons of cayenne pepper shake we’ll and apply to the base and all over the leaves. :-)

  • Robbie Robbie on Jul 17, 2023

    Moms Margie…I’m sorry that I didn’t clarify my location. We have mild winters here in Mississippi.

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