CARE: Hostas want 3-4 hours of direct sun a day, love indirect bright light and can tolerate shade.
SOIL: Rich, well-drained soil is prefered. Tree roots are the #1 reason hostas underperform. Hostas never need to split to improve growth. It can take 7-8 years for many giant cultivars to mature. Fertilize three times a year. I'm in zone 5, so I give a heavy dose when I see the first signs of new growth, a much lighter amount in the first week of June and an even lighter one month later, usually the first week of July, for root growth. I Mulch the soil with a natural forest mulch ( hemlock, but there are many types) as it retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and breaks down to enrich the soil.
LIGHT CONDITIONS: the lighter the foliage, the brighter the sun. The deeper darker foliage retains its colour best in moderate shade
WATERING: Keeping the soil consistently moist by regular watering. To get good growth year to year, make sure the ground stays relatively moist. I think the rule of thumb is 1" (2.5cm)/week.
Rate of growth: Average
ZONE: 3-9
Humidity: Medium to high.
Pets: Toxic. Hostas contain a variety of saponins that are toxic to dogs in other small animals. Saponins cause vomiting and diarrhea; these are the typical symptoms of hosta poisoning. It is important to avoid planting hostas on your property and to avoid these potted plants within the home if you own dogs.
Size: a variety of sizes
