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Hostas are one of those dependable landscape plants that we often don’t look at closely. Once properly planted, they return in early spring. Since these plants are usually bigger and more beautiful than last year, we rarely take a closer look, that is until we begin to notice the hosta leaves have holes.
Hostas are a popular shade loving perennial known for their vibrant green and variegated foliage. However, it’s common to find unsightly holes chewed in the leaves, marring their beauty Holes in hosta leaves are caused by various factors like pests, diseases, environmental stress, and physical damage. By understanding what causes the holes and taking preventive measures, you can grow lush, healthy hostas free of leaf damage
What Causes Holes in Hosta Leaves
Holes in hosta leaves have several potential causes
Pests
The most common pests that chew holes in hosta leaves are:
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Slugs and snails – Leave small, irregularly shaped holes surrounded by slime trails. They feed at night.
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Caterpillars – Chew holes between leaf veins. Cutworms leave ragged notches on leaf edges.
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Grasshoppers – Make small elongated holes avoiding the veins. Most active in spring.
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Vine weevils – Chew irregular notches, usually near margins. Feed at night.
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Blister beetles – Irregular holes in leaves and flowers. Clusters feed during the day.
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Rabbits – Large, jagged holes. Feed at night but active during the day too.
Diseases
Fungal and bacterial diseases cause leaf spots, lesions, and holes:
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Anthracnose – Small tan lesions that expand into large holes.
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Bacterial blight – Yellowing leaves with watersoaked spots that become holes.
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Botrytis blight – Gray fuzzy fungal growth causes rapidly expanding lesions.
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Leaf streak – Purple-brown spots enlarge and merge causing shot holes.
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Leaf spot – Small dark spots with yellow halos that turn into holes.
Environmental Factors
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Excess sun – Causes leaf scorching and tissue death, leading to holes.
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Excess water – Promotes root rot and fungal diseases causing leaf loss.
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High winds – Can tear leaves, leaving ragged holes behind.
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Frost damage – Leaves freeze and die back, creating holes.
Physical Damage
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Gardening tools like weed whackers and lawn mowers can rip holes in leaves.
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Bumping leaves against fences or stepping on them creates tears.
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Hail storms cause small puncture wounds that expand into holes.
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Pet or wildlife chewing also damages leaves.
How to Prevent Holes in Hosta Leaves
Follow these tips to keep hosta leaves intact and hole-free:
Choose the Right Site
Hostas thrive in part to full shade. Avoid hot, sunny spots that scorch leaves. Shelter from strong winds which tear leaves. Well-drained, consistently moist soil prevents disease. Add organic matter to improve drainage.
Water Properly
Water at soil level to keep foliage dry and prevent disease. Hostas need 1-2 inches of water per week. Let soil partially dry between waterings and avoid standing puddles. Deep soak rather than frequent light watering.
Fertilize and Mulch
Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring. This encourages vigorous growth able to outpace pest damage. Maintain 2-3 inches of organic mulch to cool roots, retain moisture, and deter weeds.
Monitor for Pests
Check leaves and soil regularly for pests like slugs. Hand pick them or use pet safe baits. Apply nematodes for long term control. Watch for signs of disease and treat early. Remove diseased foliage promptly.
Control Weeds
Weeds compete for resources, so keep beds weed free. Use mulch, cultivation or herbicides for larger infestations. Weeds shelter slugs and snails too.
Practice Good Hygiene
Sanitize tools between plants to avoid spreading disease. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves and debris to eliminate pest habitat.
Promote Air Flow
Allow adequate space between plants for air circulation. This keeps foliage dry and hinders fungal disease. Avoid overcrowding.
Use Physical Barriers
Cover young plants with row covers to exclude pests. Install slug and snail fences around beds. Make handles of copper tape to deter slugs crossing to plants.
Apply Fungicides and Pesticides
Use chemical control only when needed. Organic options like neem oil help manage insects and disease. Rotate pesticides to prevent resistance. Always follow label directions.
Select Resistant Varieties
Some hostas have genetic resistance to common diseases like leaf streak and leaf spot. The fragrant hosta group also shows slug and snail resistance.
Prune Properly
Remove damaged leaves at the base to improve appearance and prevent disease spread. Sterilize pruners between plants with isopropyl alcohol. Avoid overpruning.
Protect from Physical Damage
Use plant supports to keep foliage off the ground. Place hostas away from high traffic areas liable to accidental damage. Cover plants if hail is forecast. Install physical barriers to protect from pets and wildlife.
With proper care, hostas can thrive for years without developing unsightly holes. Consistent monitoring, prevention of pest and disease problems, and correction of cultural issues allows you to grow flawless hostas known for their stunning foliage. Paying attention to hosta requirements and providing ideal growing conditions is key to preventing leaf damage.
Why are There Holes in My Hosta?
When you’ve noticed what the holes look like and where on the leaf they are, you may have a clue as to what its cause may be. Large, irregular holes throughout the leaves may indicate a chewing pest, such as grasshoppers. You can use Carbaryl in dust form (Sevin) in the morning to stop their munching. An alternative approach for these pests includes the use of a naturally occurring microbe called Nosema locustae.
If you look closely and find new holes in leaves of hosta that are smaller, about the size of paper punch holes, you may have vine weevils. Dust these with Sevin in the evening, as dusk falls. Beneficial nematodes can also help take care of these insect pests.
If neither of these describe where or how your hosta plant has holes, you may be getting damage from slugs, snails, or both. Inspect the leaves with a flashlight at night, checking the ground and the underside of the leaves. A granular product called Sluggo is a possibility to get rid of them. You can also pick them off and dump in soapy water. Or you can put a homemade beer trap right where the slugs can drink, fall in, and meet their demise. A shallow lid from a peanut butter jar is deep enough but refresh it every few days.
Browsing deer stopping by for a snack are also a possibility, especially when leaves appear shredded. Add rosemary or other fragrant herbs to deter these animals.
All this damage may lead you to start pruning damaged leaves. However, this is not the time. Wait until after the killing frosts. You can remove fading flower blooms and stems at any time.
Holes in Leaves of Hosta
Sometimes a closer look may reveal there are holes in hosta leaves. This is not a regular occurrence, but we don’t want our plants damaged. Likely, the damage will occur as spring ends and summer comes with the high heat that attracts eggs to hatch and pests to feed on our young, growing plants. Tattered leaves may appear, ruining the appearance of our perfect shade beds and gardens.
Holes in Hosta
FAQ
How do you get rid of holes in hostas?
Slugs and earwigs will eat holes in the leaves of hostas. Trap slugs in a shallow can filled with beer. Or partially fill a soda or beer bottle with beer and lay it on its side. The slugs crawl in the opening and drown.
What do you put on hostas to keep bugs from eating the leaves?
Create a barrier of abrasive material such as crushed eggshells, sand, wood shavings, diatomaceous earth, hair or ash around your hostas. Keep these materials dry and replenish them after it rains. Take care using diatomaceous earth as it may damage your lungs if breathed; use a face mask when applying it.
How do I stop my hosta from being eaten?
Place citrus rinds under and around the hostas and they will attract slugs and hopefully keep them away from the plants.Oct 27, 2020
What is the best repellent for hostas?
Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the plants. The caffeine is poisonous to the slugs, and it also acts as a natural fertilizer. Home-made garlic wash, used regularly, deters slugs.
Why does my Hosta plant have holes in the leaves?
Some potential factors that will create holes in the leaves of your hosta plants include: Slugs and snails love the luscious leaves of a hosta plant. Although you may water your garden plants often to ensure they receive enough moisture, these pests flock to them for this exact reason.
How do you prevent holes in Hosta leaves?
Providing adequate sunlight can help prevent holes in hosta leaves. Hostas do not tolerate direct sunlight and can get sunburned if exposed for too long. This can lead to the browning and dying of parts of the leaf and the overall weakening of the plant. Eventually, this could lead to holes appearing in the leaves due to decay or pest infestation.
How do you keep hostas from rotting?
Keep the leaves and crown rot free. Hostas are a sturdy plant that doesn’t need much maintenance as they’re disease-free for the most part. Their succulent leaves attract slugs and snails, but you can use a variety of home remedies to keep bugs away such as tea tree oil, dish soap, and manual removal.
Should you prune Hosta leaves with holes?
There is no need to prune hosta leaves with holes. The plant will eventually outgrow the damage and produce new, healthy leaves. If you want to tidy up your plant, you can cut off any damaged leaves with a pair of sharp scissors. However, if the plant has a fungal disease, it can be good to prune off the affected leaves.
How do weather conditions affect Hosta plants?
Extreme weather conditions can do a number on your hosta plants by putting holes in the leaves. For example, if your location is prone to hail, you may notice holes and tears in your hosta leaves after a storm. Your outdoor vegetation can suffer from various diseases. One such disease that affects hosta plant leaves is anthracnose.
How do you know if a hosta plant is damaged?
Rodents like voles and mice may nibble on hosta leaves and roots. Damage is usually near the base of the plant. Look for small teeth marks around remaining leaf edges. Physical damage to leaves can mimic pest damage. Hail, falling debris, or string trimmers can put holes in hosta leaves.