Sum & Substance Hosta

1. Planting: Hostas need high-filtered or dappled sunlight for healthy growth. They can tolerate morning sun but not hot afternoon sun. They thrive in shady, woodland settings and prefer full sunlight to partial shade (4-6 hours daily). Plant them 4-5 feet apart to accommodate their spread.

2. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Hostas grow best in consistently moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is preferable to clay because it offers more aeration for the roots.

3. Fertilizing: In cold regions, mulch hostas to prevent them from being pushed out of the ground. Mulch retains moisture but also provides a hiding place for slugs. Look for holes in the leaves to check for slug activity. Using slug bait in early spring can help reduce the slug population. After a few years, you can remove the mulch to solve the slug problem. Also, clear hosta foliage from the garden in early winter to eliminate slug eggs and other leaf-eating insects.