The Best Method To Grow Hostas From Seed

If you have a bare shady patch in your yard and a tight budget, have you considered growing hostas from seed? Although there are some hostas that are tolerant to the sun, most will enjoy growing in those lovely shaded parts of your garden. While it might take a little longer, using seeds is the most affordable way to get a bunch of new plants to fill those empty spaces. Before you embark on this rewarding endeavor, understand that hostas, also known as plantain lilies, may take around two years to reach maturity when they're grown using this method. The best way to grow hostas from seed is to start them inside in small pots or trays, keeping the mix consistently moist, and placing them where they'll get bright, indirect sunlight.

You can either collect your own seeds from plants in your garden or purchase them online from a reputable supplier. To collect your own seeds, wait for your plant to flower and the seed heads to develop. Once these are brown and dry, you can cut them off your plant. The small black seeds can be found inside the dry husks, so separate them for sowing. If you're going to sow these immediately, they don't require any stratification. However, if you won't be using them straight away, put them between two damp sheets of paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag. Your seeds can then be stored in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 weeks to keep them viable. 

The ideal time to sow your hosta seeds is in late winter, around February. Fill a few small pots or a seedling tray with moist seed starting mix. While you don't specifically need to use seed-starting mix, you'll find that it will give you the best results. Sprinkle your seeds evenly over the soil. The seeds are a reasonable size, so they're quite easy to handle. Cover them with about a ¼ inch of mix and then use a water spray bottle to add more moisture. Place a plant cloche or a plastic bag over the pots or tray to maintain good humidity.

Put your seeds in a warm spot like a window sill that gets bright, but indirect, sunlight. Check the seeds in a few days to see whether any have germinated. This could take around seven to 14 days. If you spot some tiny seedlings, you can dispense with the cloche, otherwise, put it back on until you see the seeds start to sprout. Once you've removed the cover, make sure you mist your little plants to keep the mix nice and moist. Finally, once your little plants are large enough, you'll want to know how to transplant hostas in spring like a gardening pro. Just remember that seeds collected from your own plants may not produce specimens identical to the parent because many plants sold in nurseries are hybrid mixes of two or more species, and the seeds will generally revert back to one of these.