Hostas and drought - Ask Extension
Since we are in an extended drought, on many of my hostas, the leaves have turned brown and look to be nearly completely dead. 1) Will they come back...
Knowledgebase
Hostas and drought #848276
Asked September 01, 2023, 6:41 PM EDT
Since we are in an extended drought, on many of my hostas, the leaves have turned brown and look to be nearly completely dead. 1) Will they come back next spring, or are they another casualty of the dry conditions? 2) Can I cut the hostas back now (early Sept) to get rid of the dead leaves (and a few green ones) without hurting them, or will they start to regrow too late in the season? Many hostas are in an area I cannot easily water.
Delaware County Iowa
Expert Response
Hostas are great ground covers, until they are stricken with disease. For best performance, hostas need a consistent
supply of moisture throughout the growing season.
Dry conditions inhibit plant growth and may lead to
scorching (browning) of leaf margins. To help conserve
soil moisture, apply a 2- to 3-inch-layer of wood chips,
shredded bark, or other mulch. Also, water plants during
prolonged dry periods.
Hostas do not require heavy fertilization. A single
application of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as
10-10-10, in spring as growth begins to emerge should be
sufficient.
Most hostas do not need winter protection if they have
been in the ground for at least one full growing season.
However, a winter mulch is often beneficial to hostas
planted in late summer or early fall. Repeated freezing
and thawing of the soil in the winter months may heave
recently planted hostas out of the ground, causing serious
damage. Applying several inches of clean, weed-free straw,
pine needles, or other mulch in mid to late November
should provide adequate winter protection.
Here are some bulletins to check if your hostas are just dry or suffering from common problems:
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/5099
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/6625
Hostas will often return after drought conditions, so waiting to see if they emerge next spring is best. Yes, they can be cut or mowed off this fall.
supply of moisture throughout the growing season.
Dry conditions inhibit plant growth and may lead to
scorching (browning) of leaf margins. To help conserve
soil moisture, apply a 2- to 3-inch-layer of wood chips,
shredded bark, or other mulch. Also, water plants during
prolonged dry periods.
Hostas do not require heavy fertilization. A single
application of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as
10-10-10, in spring as growth begins to emerge should be
sufficient.
Most hostas do not need winter protection if they have
been in the ground for at least one full growing season.
However, a winter mulch is often beneficial to hostas
planted in late summer or early fall. Repeated freezing
and thawing of the soil in the winter months may heave
recently planted hostas out of the ground, causing serious
damage. Applying several inches of clean, weed-free straw,
pine needles, or other mulch in mid to late November
should provide adequate winter protection.
Here are some bulletins to check if your hostas are just dry or suffering from common problems:
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/5099
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/6625
Hostas will often return after drought conditions, so waiting to see if they emerge next spring is best. Yes, they can be cut or mowed off this fall.
