Hostas are prized primarily for their foliage but they also have attractive, often scented, summer flowers. These hardy clump-forming perennials are popular with container gardeners and are unbeatable for low-growing foliage interest in spring and summer. Thriving in light and medium shade, they’re incredibly useful plants.
Hosta foliage is perfect for cutting. With so many different colours and textures available in the genus you can add silver, variegated, heart-shapes, crinkly or smooth leaves to a flower arrangement.
Hostas are some of the most popular perennials for shady gardens. Their attractive foliage comes in a diverse range of shapes, sizes, and colors. While hostas are loved for being low maintenance, their moderate growth rate often leads new gardeners to wonder – how fast do hostas grow?
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect hosta growth rates You’ll learn what speed category your hostas fall into, their typical growth pattern, and tips to encourage faster spreading With this information, you’ll know what to expect from your hostas and how to grow them to their full potential.
An Overview of Hosta Growth Rates
Hostas are classified into three general growth rate categories
-
Fast growing – Rapidly multiply into large clumps within 2-3 years. Produce many new buds annually. Examples: ‘Fragrant Bouquet’, ‘June’, ‘Potomac Pride’.
-
Moderate growing – Spread at a steady, moderate pace. Most popular varieties like ‘Blue Angel’ and ‘Francee’ fall into this category.
-
Slow growing – Very slow in generating new clump divisions Takes many years to reach mature size, ‘Golden Tiara’ and ‘Wheee!’ are slow growers,
The inherent growth rate of the particular hosta variety is just one factor influencing its speed of growth. Let’s look at the other key influences:
Plant Size
Small and miniature hostas generally grow more quickly than their larger counterparts. The small roots of giant hosta varieties grow slowly.
Growing Conditions
Ideal growing conditions of rich soil, adequate moisture, and filtered sun encourage faster hosta growth. Stress from drought, crowding, or too much sun slows expansion.
Leaf Variegation
Heavily variegated leaves mean less chlorophyll and slower growth. Greener hosta varieties tend to multiply quicker.
Maturity
Young hosta plants focus energy on root establishment, slowing top growth. Mature, established plants over 3 years old grow most quickly.
Division
Newly divided hosta plants take 1-2 years to regain momentum. Undivided clumps expand faster.
As you can see, the speed that hostas grow depends on several interacting factors. Next, let’s look at their typical growth pattern over time.
The Typical Growth Pattern of Hostas
Hostas planted from pots or bare roots follow a typical growth pattern over their first few years in the garden:
Year 1
The first year, hostas grow slowly as they establish roots. They may produce no new divisions at all. Foliage reaches about 50% of mature size.
Year 2
The second season brings rapid juvenile growth. Expect 1-3 new divisions to form from the mother plant. Foliage achieves near full size.
Year 3
Growth peaks in year three for most hosta varieties. Mature clumps expand outward at their natural pace based on the variety’s growth rate.
Year 4+
In undivided clumps, steady growth continues for many years. But expansion slows as the center dies out and the plant becomes crowded. Division is needed to maintain optimal growth.
Knowing what to expect each year will help you gauge if your hostas are growing at a normal, healthy pace. Next, let’s look at some tips to boost hosta growth rates.
5 Tips to Encourage Faster Hosta Growth
Hostas are not the fastest growing perennials. But you can maximize growth by providing ideal conditions:
-
Site in optimal light – Hostas grow fastest in light to medium shade. Avoid deep shade or hot sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is best.
-
Amend soil – Improve native soil by mixing in compost or leaf mold to enrich nutrition and moisture holding capacity.
-
Mulch – Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch like shredded bark around hostas to maintain even soil moisture and temperature.
-
Water – Ensure hostas receive 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation, especially during summer.
-
Divide promptly – Divide crowded clumps every 2-3 years. This encourages faster growth of each new division.
Following these tips will help your hostas grow vigorously and reach their mature sizes more quickly.
When to Expect Peak Hosta Growth
Hostas grow from early spring through first frost in fall. But their peak period of rapid growth is mid-spring into early summer when conditions are optimal.
Later in summer, hot temperatures cause hostas to go dormant. Growth slows or even stops completely, especially in southern regions. Renewed growth occurs as temperatures cool in fall.
If you are wondering when your hostas will reach their full sizes, mid-summer is the best time to evaluate growth. By then spring growth is complete but summer heat dormancy has not yet started.
How Long Do Hostas Take to Reach Maturity?
Most hosta varieties take 3-5 years to reach their mature clump sizes and full foliage dimensions when grown in ideal conditions. However, there is wide variation based on the factors discussed previously.
-
Fast growing hostas may achieve maturity in just 2-3 years.
-
Slow growing hostas can take 5+ years to full size.
-
Dividing hostas resets the clock, extending the time to maturity.
-
Stress also delays hostas in achieving their potential mature clump and foliage sizes.
So be patient with your hostas! With proper care, most will achieve their mature dimensions within 3-5 years. Then you can enjoy their beautiful foliage for many more years to come.
Common Questions About Hosta Growth Rates
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how quickly hostas grow:
How long do hostas take to come up each spring?
Hosta emergence in spring can take 2-6 weeks depending on the variety and weather conditions. Smaller hostas and warmer soil temperatures aid quicker spring growth.
How often should I divide hostas?
Dividing hostas every 2-3 years encourages vigorous growth. Crowded clumps should be divided in early spring or fall. Miniature hostas may need dividing annually.
How can I get hostas to grow faster?
Boost hosta growth by providing rich soil, adequate moisture, proper sun exposure, routine division, and exemplary care. Avoid transplanting shock.
Do hostas grow well in pots?
Hostas adapt well to container life. Use porous potting mix, provide consistent moisture, give them some afternoon shade, and repot annually.
Are fast growing hostas more susceptible to pests and disease?
No, inherent hosta growth rates do not correlate with susceptibility to problems. Fast growers multiply quicker, but are not more prone to issues.
Conclusion
Understanding the growth rate of your hosta varieties will help you know what to expect as they grow and mature in your garden. While hostas are not the fastest growing perennials, they are still satisfying to grow. With proper care you can maximize their growth potential.
Follow the tips provided to encourage vigorous hosta growth. After 3-5 years of exemplary care, most varieties will achieve their full foliage dimensions and impressive mature clump sizes. Then you can enjoy their beautiful presence in your garden for many years to come!
Where to buy hostas online
Hostas will pretty much look after themselves once established, if growing in the right growing environment. In pots, it’s important to not let the compost dry out. Boost fertility by applying a slow-release fertiliser each spring.
You may need to protect plants from slugs and snails – placing copper rings around the plants can help deter molluscs.
Cut back flower spikes when they have gone over and cut back hard in autumn. Mulching annually with well-rotted manure, compost or leaf mould will boost soil fertility and therefore plant health.
Richard Proctor of Sue Proctor Plants gives his three golden rules when growing hostas, in this video guide: Green Video Post Element Video ID: “19fbfbc20dc5495ce18d35b6424599606cc3ec2e” Mix ID: “” Player ID: “qAUyOzk5” If the player doesnt appear here within a few seconds, the Player ID or Licence Key (set via IM Green Suite settings) might be invalid.
When to plant hostas
You can plant hostas all year round, but spring and autumn are preferable. It’s best to avoid planting in mid-summer, when temperatures are high and the water table is low, as this can prevent the plant from establishing well. Mid-winter is also a bad time to plant hostas, as the ground is cold and often frozen.