Hostas are a staple in many gardens, prized for their attractive foliage and ability to brighten up shady spots. These popular perennials are also commonly grown in containers. But when winter arrives, special care is required to help potted hostas successfully survive the colder months. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about overwintering hostas in containers.
Should You Bring Potted Hostas Indoors for the Winter?
Hostas are hardy perennials that go dormant during winter. The key to healthy hostas is allowing them to experience a sufficient cold period. Bringing containerized hostas indoors for winter interferes with their dormancy and can weaken or even kill the plants. So in most cases, hostas in pots should be left outdoors over winter.
There are a few exceptions where it may be advisable to overwinter hostas indoors
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If you live in an extremely cold climate where winter temps routinely drop below 0°F.
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If the plant is rare or expensive and you want to be extra cautious.
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If you have nowhere suitable outdoors to store the pots over winter
But in general, allowing hostas to experience natural winter conditions is ideal.
Where to Store Hostas in Pots for the Winter
Hostas in containers need protection from extreme cold but don’t require warm conditions indoors while dormant. The best place to store them is an unheated garage, shed, or cold frame. Ideally, winter temps should remain between 20-40°F.
Avoid storing hostas where they will be exposed to:
- Temperatures consistently below 20°F
- Temperatures regularly above 50°F
- Bright sun or intense light
- Drastic temperature swings
- Repeated freezing and thawing
If an unheated garage or shed isn’t available, you can also sink the pots in the ground and mulch well. Just be sure to lift them back out in spring.
Preparing Hostas in Containers for Winter
Follow these tips in fall to help your potted hostas successfully transition into dormancy:
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Water thoroughly before first frost. Hostas should go into winter well-hydrated.
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Remove any browned or damaged foliage, but leave healthy leaves in place for insulation.
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Move containers to the winter storage location before temps drop below freezing.
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Group pots together and cover with mulch, leaves, straw, or pine needles for added protection.
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Cover the pots with burlap, fabric row cover, or an old tarp to protect from rain and prevent freezing and thawing of the soil.
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For extremely cold areas, wrap the entire container with insulation like bubble wrap.
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Avoid fertilizing hostas once they start going dormant in fall.
Caring for Overwintered Hostas in Spring
In early spring, around the time temperatures begin warming up above freezing:
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Unwrap and move pots back outdoors to a sheltered, shaded spot.
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Gradually reintroduce them to sun over a period of 1-2 weeks.
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Remove any remaining leaf coverings from the previous year.
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Cut away dead foliage to make way for new growth.
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Begin regular watering as plants break dormancy.
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Hold off fertilizing until new leaves emerge and plants show signs of active growth.
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Transplant into garden spaces or larger containers in late spring once the risk of frost has passed.
Tips for Growing Hostas Successfully in Containers
Follow these guidelines when cultivating hostas in pots:
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Choose containers at least 12-16 inches wide and deep. Hostas have expansive roots and need sufficient room.
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Use containers with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix amended with compost.
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Site in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight.
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Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Hostas prefer consistently moist soil.
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Feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Rotate pots periodically to prevent lopsided growth toward the sun.
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Prune off spent flower stalks and any damaged foliage as needed through the seasons.
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Repot into a larger container every 2-3 years as the plant grows or divide crowded clumps.
The Best Hosta Varieties for Containers
Look for these compact hosta varieties ideally suited for growing in pots:
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‘Blue Mouse Ears’ – silver-blue foliage and lavender flowers; 10 inches tall
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‘Cat’s Eye’ – chartreuse leaves with white edges; 12 inches tall
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‘Dragon Tails’ – twisted green and white variegated leaves; 14 inches tall
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‘Green Eyes’ – green with thin white border; 10 inches tall
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‘June’ – blue-green; stays under 12 inches tall
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‘Minuteman’ – green leaves with white margins; 12 inches tall
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‘Rainforest Sunrise’ – yellow with green edges; 10 inches tall
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‘Stiletto’ – slender blue-green leaves; 12 inches tall
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‘Wheee!’ – white leaf centers and green margins; 10 inches tall
Dealing With Common Hosta Problems in Containers
Growing hostas in pots increases their susceptibility to certain issues:
Scorch
Dry soil and hot sun exposure can cause brown leaf edges or spots on hostas. Move pots to shadier areas and water thoroughly.
Crown Rot
Excess moisture around the crown can cause rotting. Improve drainage and allow soil to dry between waterings.
Voles or Mice
Rodents are attracted to the roots and may chew on plants in winter. Use hardware cloth to line pots before planting.
Slugs and Snails
These garden pests are attracted to the tender foliage. Remove them by hand or use non-toxic slug bait.
Insufficient Size
Hostas often outgrow their pots. Transplant into a larger container or divide the plant.
Stunning and Low Maintenance Hostas
With their wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, hostas offer almost endless possibilities in containers. And their low-maintenance nature makes them an easy way to add beauty to patios, porches, and small urban gardens. By providing the right care before and during winter dormancy, you can successfully overwinter hostas in containers year after year.
How To Grow Hostas In Containers
FAQ
Can hostas survive winter in pots?
Do hostas do well in containers?
Can I leave perennials in pots over winter?
How do I overwinter a hosta?
Do hostas grow in pots?
Her passion is focused these days on growing ornamental edibles, and foraging for food in the urban and suburban landscape. Hostas grow well in containers and make a statement in the garden or patio. Learn how to plant and raise hostas in pots in our guide now on Gardener’s Path.
Can You overwinter hostas?
We did the research to tell you how. One way to overwinter potted hostas is to place them in an unheated outside building, such as a garage, during the harshest winter months. If hostas are in large pots, they can simply be left outside during the winter. Or, you can take the hostas out of their pots and plant them in your garden during the winter.
How do I protect my Hostas in the winter?
Here are the steps we’ll discuss to protect your hostas in the winter: As with all perennials, your USDA Hardiness Zone and the plant’s Zone rating dictate how you should care for your plants. A Zone 4 to 8 hosta cultivar grown in Zone 6 is going to need less fussing over than the same plant might if it was grown in Zone 4.
Are hostas Hardy in winter?
Although hostas are hardy, those in containers are more susceptible to winter damage than those in the ground, so you may wish to offer a bit of extra protection in very cold regions. Ruth Hayes, a gardening expert, suggests fleecing or mulching the root area of hostas to keep the plants protected from frost over the winter months.
