Can You Transplant Hostas in Summer?

Hostas are a must-have for any shade garden because they can grow for years or even decades with little care. If the plants get enough water, which is very important for growing hostas well, they will grow into beautiful clumps that can get up to six feet across, depending on the type.

However, this characteristic of permanence can be a challenge when its time to transplant a hosta. You may need to dig up, divide, and move a hosta for a number of reasons, such as when the plants have outgrown their space, when a new patio is being built, or when you are moving and don’t want to leave behind a favorite variety. What happens when you dig up a plant that has been there for years?

When to Transplant Hostas

For transplanting a hosta, fall is the best time because the air is cool and the soil is still warm. Late in September, hostas are done growing for the season and getting ready to go into a dormant phase for the winter.

While digging up a hosta in the fall, you might tear a leaf here and there. This won’t hurt the plant’s beauty, though, because new leaves will grow in and unfold in the spring. In the fall, if you dig up hosta roots, they have a short window of time to heal and get used to their new home before the ground freezes. If the ground hasn’t frozen, the roots will continue to get used to their new home even if a frost or freeze kills the leaves.

Moving a hosta is second best in the spring, when the new shoots are just starting to join together. When the air and soil are cool, plants’ metabolisms slow down. This lets them recover faster from the damage of digging and moving. However, there are two downsides to transplanting during the spring. First, the digging could hurt one of the newly opened leaves, giving the plant a tattered look for the rest of the growing season. Second, you have to hurry to get plants that were stressed during transplanting back to normal before it gets too hot in the summer. These plants may have already lost some rootstock during the digging process.

It’s better to transplant plants in the spring than in the summer, when the plants may be stressed from the heat and lack of water. They may also be having trouble supporting leafy growth.

Before Getting Started

Hostas are tough plants, but when they are stressed out, like when they are being transplanted, they will act like your least favorite coworker or enemy. In other words, they won’t do anything bad, like die or turn brown, but they also won’t do much to make the landscape look better or make them more valuable. Hostas, especially jumbo varieties, might pout in place for a few years before starting their slow march to maturity, so it’s important to think about whether to transplant them or not.

Hostas should only be moved if they are going to die in a hardscape installation or if you want to take them with you when you move. Another good reason is to move a hosta from a place that isn’t good for growth, like a sunny spot or the dog’s favorite place to sleep or bark. If not, it might be best to leave a healthy plant where it is and buy a new one for the other spot in the garden.

It is best to make sure that the soil where you want to move the hosta is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. With a soil test kit, you can find out if you need to add compost or something else to the soil to help your newly transplanted plant get established.

• Compost or leaf mold
• Mulch

• Get the New Planting Site Ready It’s the big day, so get your shovel and back ready. The first thing you need to do is get the new planting hole ready before you move the hosta. The plant shouldn’t stay in the yard like a fish out of water and let its roots get too much sun. Fill in the planting hole with a few shovels of compost or leaf mold, but don’t change the soil too much. The hosta needs to be able to get used to and grow in its natural environment. The Spruce/Debbie Wolfe .
• To make it easier to dig up the Hosta, pick a cloudy day after it has rained or water the plant. Make a ring around the whole plant by putting your spade straight down around it. Keep the ring about 10 inches from the plant’s base. Next, point your spade at the plant and slowly start to pull it up. You’ll get a sense of how big the root ball is as you pry it open. Your plant will do better in its new home if you can save as much of its rootstock as possible. This job might need two people if the root ball is big and heavy. Keep as many of the roots as you can and don’t hurt them. If you do, the plant could go into shock. Take the plant out of its hole and knock off as much soil as you can to make the move easier. Try to leave some soil around the root ball to help the plant make the change. The Spruce/Debbie Wolfe .
• Cut the Hosta into pieces. If the plant is fully grown and pretty big, you may want to do this. Just use your spade to cut the plant into pieces that are easier to handle. When you plant hosta, save the pieces to move them to other places and give extra plants to family and friends. The Spruce/Debbie Wolfe .
• It’s time to move the hosta to its new home. Put it where it will be and make sure the crown is level with the soil. Then, fill in the hole with the soil you took out of the planting hole and tamp it down to get rid of any air pockets and make sure the roots can reach the soil. The Spruce/Debbie Wolfe .
• Spread Mulch Around the Plant: Put down a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around the planting area to keep the soil moist and keep weeds from growing. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the stems of the plants. The Spruce/Debbie Wolfe .

How to Divide Hostas, Best Time to Divide Hostas and Other Planting Tips

FAQ

Do hostas go into shock when transplanted?

Can hostas be moved in July?

Do hostas like sun or shade?

Can you repot hostas in summer?

Can a hosta plant be transplanted in the summer?

It is best not to transplant hostas in the summer. The air and the soil are dry in the summer, which makes it difficult to move the plant and for the plant to re-establish its roots. The heat of the summer can also cause your hosta to fade. All of this will cause added stress to your plant, and it could damage it long-term.

When should you plant hostas?

We advise you to plant hostas in the period when they are in the dormant phase. To transplant hostas effortlessly, start by preparing where you want to plant them. Digging them and dividing the hosta should follow. After that, you can plant hostas and backfill the holes in the new location. Taking care of the hostas is crucial after transplanting.

Do hostas need a transplant?

However, there comes a time when a Hosta plant may outgrow its space or needs a new location to continue flourishing. This is where the process of transplanting comes into play, which, if done correctly, can ensure that your Hostas remain as a stunning part of your garden landscape.

How do you transplant a hosta plant?

Prepare new location for hosta transplant by digging a hole, adding slow-release fertilizer, compost, and ensuring drainage. Tie leaves or prune branches, and water plant before transplanting. When you are ready to move your hosta, there are a few things to keep in mind. When you begin digging, start your hole as far out as where the leaves end.

When should you move a hosta plant?

The heat of the summer can also cause your hosta to fade. All of this will cause added stress to your plant, and it could damage it long-term. Ideally, it is best to move your hosta early in the morning or evening when the sun is not hottest. The timing of this is especially important if the weather is sunny or dry. Summary

How do you care for a hosta plant after a transplant?

To aid a successful transition for your plant, give it a gentle watering. This promotes root establishment and supports overall health, especially in the first days after you have transplanted the hosta. Additionally, this will reduce shock when transplanting hostas. 5. Take Care of Your Transplants