Hostas eaten by deer - Ask Extension
My large leaf hostas have been eaten by deer. Can they recover? Should I cut the stems down. These are mature hostas.
Looking forward to hearin...
Knowledgebase
Hostas eaten by deer #873958
Asked June 20, 2024, 3:12 PM EDT
My large leaf hostas have been eaten by deer. Can they recover? Should I cut the stems down. These are mature hostas.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
There is bad news and good news.
Bad news: about the only thing that can stop a deer is a barrier which are ugly high and costly. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/hosta-pests-and-diseases#deer
You might try, check zoning first, electric fence.
Good news; hostas are easy to damage and hard to kill.
Better news: there are a lot of plants that are alternatives for hosta. https://www.thespruce.com/do-deer-eat-hostas-8647794
Bad news: about the only thing that can stop a deer is a barrier which are ugly high and costly. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/hosta-pests-and-diseases#deer
You might try, check zoning first, electric fence.
Good news; hostas are easy to damage and hard to kill.
Better news: there are a lot of plants that are alternatives for hosta. https://www.thespruce.com/do-deer-eat-hostas-8647794
Thank you. Should I cut the stems down close to the ground to help them recover? I’ve attached a photo. 
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, 2:21 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you for writing back.
There will not be comforted by me telling you that you are not alone.
Leave them be. The bits of green leaf that are left are still feeding the roots from which the plant will regrow. In fact, it is not too late to see new leaves this year.
If you don't mind, you might try a wind chime near the plants, the movement and sound may decrease the feeding.
There will not be comforted by me telling you that you are not alone.
Leave them be. The bits of green leaf that are left are still feeding the roots from which the plant will regrow. In fact, it is not too late to see new leaves this year.
If you don't mind, you might try a wind chime near the plants, the movement and sound may decrease the feeding.
