Growing Hostas in Pots

Have you ever considered growing hostas in containers? Hostas are one of my very favorite plants. They are widely cultivated as shade-loving foliage and come in an enormous array of colors and shapes.  Years ago, I visited Stream Cliff Farms in Southern Indiana.  I always enjoy the gardens and quaint shops there, but on this particular visit, one of their outbuildings was flocked in enormous window boxes. They were growing hostas in containers! I couldn’t believe it. I’d only considered using them in landscape.  A new obsession was born.

Containers Suited for Hostas

With a few preparations, growing hostas in containers is a snap. Plenty of rich and well-drained organic soil is critical for healthy hostas. With that in mind, any container with good depth to hold soil and plenty of drainage holes is your best bet. Once you’ve chosen a container you can select plants. Pro Tip: Hostas enjoy a snug fit. You’ll want less than three inches between the roots and the container. 

Best Hosta Cultivars for Containers

Hostas come in literally thousands of options from palest lime green, to variegated versions and some with humongous leaves. When planting hostas in containers, playing with large groupings of the same plant for emphasis is a great trick. I really love choosing many colors, shapes and textures. Some of the mini-hostas are particularly well-suited to small pots for a porch or outdoor table.

Pro Tip: you can successfully grow any size hosta in a container. Let the games begin.

Here are some gorgeous options to consider: Hosta ‘Gentle Giant’  will give you height. It’s a a very tall mound of deep blue-green leaves. Another example, the ‘Dorothy Benedict’, boasts multiple shades of green with broad, ribbed leaves. ‘Canadian Blue’ is a medium sized plant with grey-green, heart shaped leaves with a cool, waxy finish. Finally, ‘Wiggles & Squiggles’ is known for its yellow, slender foliage and wild, wavy margins. It is a smaller plant with a horizontal habit.

Will Hostas Winter Over in Pots?

So, the real deal is that it isn’t as easy to winter hostas in pots as it is when they’re in the garden.  You can try to cover them, but this may yield limited success.  The method I prefer is to move the pots into an un-heated shed or garage for the winter. You will need to water them about once a month. In the spring, move them back outside and they should grow beautifully. Don’t attempt to bring hostas into your home as they do require a dormant period.

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