Hosta problems
Wondering what's wrong with your hosts? We can help you deal with common problems and ensure they are healthy and thriving. But every once in a while, these stars of the shade still run into a few problems — even in perfect growing conditions. Catch these hosta problems early and the damage won't be too much for you to deal with.
The first step is to figure out exactly what's going on. Scroll down to see photos of three common Hosta health problems, learn about them, and better yet, find out what to do to get rid of them!
Leaf nematode
These microscopic worms live in the soil and feed on the leaves between the leaf veins. Look for brown spots on Hosta leaves, like the one in the photo above, from late summer to early fall—but prevention is your best bet because it's difficult to control.
Remove infected leaves and dispose of them in the trash whenever possible. And since this pest spreads from plant to plant by splashing water, keep leaf surfaces as dry as possible by watering at ground level.
Snails
A common pest you'll find on hostas is slugs. If you see irregular holes like this during the growing season, pull out Sluggo® or other iron phosphate bait. Safe to use around children and pets and works on snails too.
For best results, spread the bait in thin strips around the base of the plant, not in heaps. Bait in early spring as a preventative measure to keep slug populations from really getting out of hand. You can propagate the new Hosta leaves as soon as they emerge from the ground.
Hosta virus x
Diagnosing this relatively new disease is difficult because the symptoms vary among different types. Typically, look for leaf yellowing, as in the photo here. Warning signs include twisting, stunting or stunting of leaves and stems.
Once you find a Hosta that holds it, remove the plant from your garden. The virus is easily transmitted by sap, so if you cut the leaf, split it into a bunch, or remove the flower stem, you can spread the disease. Prevent this by dipping the tools in a 10:1 water to bleach solution before moving to another plant. (When you're done, be sure to dry the tools thoroughly so they don't rust.)
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