When you compare hostas in pots or ground, planting in the ground wins for most varieties. Your ground-planted hostas grow faster, need less water, and handle winter cold better. But pots make great sense for small spaces, patios, and tiny varieties that get lost in a big bed.
I tested this side by side with two Patriot hostas from the same nursery flat. One went into my shady garden bed and the other into a 14-inch ceramic pot on my back patio. After two full seasons, the ground-planted Patriot grew to twice the size of its potted twin. The potted one needed water every other day in summer. The garden one went a full week between drinks. Winter told the real story though. My in-ground Patriot came back strong each spring while the potted one barely made it through a Zone 5 winter even with burlap wrapping.
Ground soil holds moisture longer and stays at a steady temperature. The earth insulates your hosta roots from wild temperature swings. Your container hostas sit exposed to air on all sides. The soil dries out fast in summer and freezes solid in winter. A potted hosta's roots can hit 0°F (-18°C) during a cold snap. That same plant in the ground stays at a much warmer 28-32°F (-2 to 0°C) just inches below the surface.
Container hostas do shine in certain spots though. Miniature varieties like Blue Mouse Ears look stunning in pots where you can see their small rounded leaves up close. You can move your potted hostas to chase shade as the sun shifts through the season. If you rent your home, pots let you take your plants with you. Just avoid metal containers because they absorb heat and cook your roots on warm days. Stick with ceramic, resin, or thick plastic with drainage holes.
If you decide on growing hostas in containers, use a pot at least two inches wider than the root ball. Fill it with quality potting soil mixed with compost. Don't use garden soil in your pots because it compacts and drains poorly. Add a slow-release fertilizer in spring and feed with liquid fertilizer once a month through July. Stop feeding in August so your plant can prepare for dormancy.
Winter care is your biggest challenge when growing hostas in containers. Once the first hard frost kills the foliage, move your pots to an unheated garage or shed where temps stay between 25-40°F (-4 to 4°C). You can also bury the entire pot in a garden bed and cover it with 3-4 inches of mulch. Check the soil once a month during winter and add a splash of water if it feels bone dry. Your container hostas will push up new growth in spring just like their ground-planted cousins.
I now grow about a dozen hostas in containers on my patio and keep the rest in the ground. This mix gives me the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy your favorites up close in pots and let the bigger varieties spread out in your garden beds where they belong.
Read the full article: Hosta Plant Care and Growing Guide
