Growing Hosta in Water is easy and fun! Plant it in transparent glasses and jars and have a stunning display of this ornamental plant!
Hostas are tough, ornamental plants that thrive in the shade. They are extremely easy to propagate by division, but surprisingly that is not the only way to multiply them–You just need a leaf-cutting to create a whole new plant! Let’s have a look at all you need to know about Growing Hosta in Water!
Here are some expert tips to grow hostas
Origin of Hosta
Also known as plantain lily, Hosta is native to China. From there, it was relocated to Asia. Mainly in Japan, Korea, and Russia. There are around 40 species of Hostas that are native to Asia alone.
This shade-tolerant plant is a long-living perennial, winter hardy in USDA Zone 3-8. Hosta is relatively low-maintenance and does not ask for care all year long.
Growing Hosta in Water
Find a hosta plant growing in your garden or at a friend’s place. You can also buy a new plant from a nearby nursery for this purpose. This method is also useful when you accidentally remove or trim off some leaves from the plant.
- Find a leaf to remove: Find a large, healthy leaf with stem to cut, much better, if it has a bit of root attached to it.
- Separate the leaf: Remove the hosta leaf from the plant gently. Make sure both the leaf and stem remain intact.
- Plant the Cutting: Whether you’ve got one or many leaf cuttings, place all carefully in an upright manner, in a tall and narrow jar filled with non-chlorinated water.
You can keep the cuttings water for a long time. Once the root emerges, if you like, transplant them to a container.
Hosta Plant Care in Water
Location
When growing hostas in water, keep the vase in a shady location that receives bright indirect light.
Change Water Frequently
You’ll have to change the water every 3-4 days or sooner if it becomes discolored. Use a transparent container so you can check the water level and root development. Keep these points in mind before changing the water in the jar:
- Coldwater can shock the rooting plant.
- Always use water that’s of normal room temperature.
- Use salt and chlorine-free water.
Fertilization
You can mix a slight amount of water-soluble balanced fertilizer into the water once in 6-8 weeks during the hosta growing seasons. About 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of water-soluble fertilizer diluted in 2 gallons of water should be fine.
Some Additional Tips
Root Bound
If the jar or container is smaller in size, the hostas can become root-bound. In that case, transfer the rooted plant to a bigger vase or better into a container in soil.
Aerial Roots
In water, aerial roots develop offshoots as regular roots, and this increases the plant’s ability to put together water and nutrients. It’s completely normal if you notice some thick brown outer coverings of the aerial roots floating in the water. You can remove them while changing the water.
Where can You Keep Your Hostas?
Decorate your tabletop with water-grown hostas for a beautiful looking centerpieces! You can grow it in a transparent and decorative narrow jar, placing it on a coffee table, desks, kitchen countertop, or plant stand.
Is the Bear Claw kit available for purchase?
Hello, I did hosta leaf water garden to root. They all turned yellow. I used room temp water, but none of them had any roots. So, are they all dead ? I cut them 2 days ago.
Try distilled water, sold by the gallons in stores. It is what is used for sleep machines. City and town water has lots of chlorine in it. I live off a well so its fairly easy for me and to add some plant food to it. Did you keep the jar in shade and indirect light but in an area that gets lots of sun?
I am having the same problem I have one leaf that broke off my hosta and I put it in water and within 3 days it was turning yellow. What am I doing wrong? And it did not ever take root.
could be the water. Typical tap water is chlorinated.
Can you use the flower stems that you are removing anyway to propagate new plants?
I’ve dug up one of my nine year old hostas to separate into clumps of 5 or 6 leaves each. I’m planning on moving and can’t take whole plants so I’m selling them for extra cash. I’m glad I saw your post , I was worried leaving them outside out of he sun in buckets of water. At least I know they’ll survive 🤗😊. I’ve originally cleaned the roots on my hue plant n had to cut it in half just to fit 2 buckets. The first soak had organic transplant solution n the next just water. Do you have any suggestions on any other Ideas on other water soluble fertilizers I can add n ow often until I get them sold? Please let me know,, sincerely Lisa