Growing Hosta in Water | How to Grow Hosta in Water

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.