How to Grow Hostas in Containers

Hostas (Hosta spp.) bring color and texture, as well as shoots of summer flowers, to shady spots. By growing these leafy perennials in containers, you have the benefit of giving them the exact soil, moisture and lighting they need to thrive. Hostas grown in containers make excellent specimen plants and bright fillers for dark and bare areas. Hostas, also called plantain lilies, grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9.

With more than 2,500 cultivars to choose from, you’re sure to find a hosta that fits your needs for container growing. Some features to look for in hostas for containers include interesting foliage colors, compact size, neat growth habit and showy flowers.

‘Antioch’ (Hosta 'Antioch,' USDA zones 3 through 9) makes a good choice for containers with its wide spread of  5 feet and height of only 2 feet. The green leaves have white margins that help this hosta stand out as a specimen plant in a container.

‘Ghost Spirit’ (Hosta 'Ghost Spirit,' USDA zones 3 through 8), really brightens up a dark area with its creamy leaves edged with green. It grows to 2 feet tall with a spread up to 3 feet.

‘Gold Standard’ (Hosta 'Gold Standard,' USDA zones 3 through 8) gives variety and color with wide yellow leaves with dark green edges. This medium-sized hosta reaches 3 feet tall and wide. 

‘Ruffles’ (Hosta 'Ruffles,' USDA zones 3 through 8) has heavily textured, bright green leaves with wavy edges. 'Ruffles' grows 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. 

‘Blue Mouse Ears’ (Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears,' USDA zones 3 through 8) is a stand-out for containers. The small hosta grows to only 1 foot wide and high and has distinct curled, blue-green leaves and lavender flowers.

‘Sum and Substance’ (Hosta 'Sum and Substance,' USDA zones 3 through 8) will lend a tropical feel in a container with its giant yellow-green leaves. It has a spread of 5 feet and height of 3 feet.

Hostas come in many sizes, from the tiniest, 2-inch-tall cultivars to the giants that reach more than 4 feet high and wide. The only real rule to sizing the container for a hosta is to match it to the mature size of the cultivar you choose. A small, 12-inch planter can hold the small varieties. If you grow a big-leaf hosta for dramatic effect, choose a large container, like a half-barrel. Always choose a container with drainage holes so water can drain out.

While in the ground hostas grow in a variety of soil types. For container growing choose a soilless, lightweight medium. This allows for proper drainage -- which hostas need -- and makes the container easier to move. A commercial mixture of peat, vermiculite and perlite works well.

The excellent drainage of your planting medium prevents crown rot in potted hostas, but also means you’ll have to water more frequently in dry and hot weather. Hostas require 1 inch of water every week when in the ground, but may need more in planters. Water at least once a week, thoroughly wetting the soil until it drains out the bottom. During hot weather, water every few days in the morning. Don't let the soil dry out completely.

A self-watering container or a watering globe work to keep the soil moist for hostas.

A container-grown hosta requires fertilizer to reach its full potential. Use a 10-10-10 slow-release, granular fertilizer for container plants every six weeks from leaf emergence to midsummer. Apply at the rate recommended for the size of planter you use. For example, a typical rate for slow-release fertilizer is 1/2 tablespoon for each 1 gallon of planting mix. So a 6 gallon planter will need 3 tablespoons of fertilizer. Sprinkle the fertilizer on top of the planting medium and water thoroughly. The granules will slowly release the nutrients when you water the hosta.

One of the benefits of growing hostas in planters is the ability to move them as needed to meet their shade needs. Covered porches, patios with pergolas, shady alcoves and any bare shade area work well for container hostas. Sometimes growing plants under trees doesn't work with the dry soil, large roots and poor soil. To remedy this, move planters of hostas under the tree.

Hostas don't do well in full sun, especially afternoon sun which is more direct.

Hostas, especially when grown in containers, need dividing every four to five years to prevent crowding. Container-grown hostas will look their best when you make the divisions large, only separating the plant into two or three clumps.

Divide the hostas in the spring for the best results. Look at the plant and root mass and decide how to divide it for the best appearance in planters. Each division needs a section of roots and leaves. Pull and separate a division from the main mass and replant in into the container with new planting medium. Continue to water, fertilize and care for it as you did before.

Trade your extra divisions for new varieties of hostas or other plants with gardeners in your area. Gardening clubs and farmers markets often have resources for plant exchanges.

Growing hostas in containers also allows you to push the zones by bringing them into protected enclosures during hot summers and bitterly cold winters. If you're growing a hosta outside of its USDA zone, bring it in before temperatures reach its zone limits. For example, if you live in USDA zone 3 and your hosta variety is only cold hardy in USDA zone 4, bring the plant in before temperatures drop to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.