What makes the hosta unique is the beauty of its leaves. Few plants can boast such a vast number of varieties. But sometimes trouble happens to hostas, and we will talk about one of those today.
QUICK ANSWER: Drought stress is why hosta leaves turn brown. The second common reason is the natural dieback of foliage in the fall. Also, too much sun, disease, and overwatering can cause hosta leaves to turn brown.
Not enough water
Lack of water always hurts the hosta. If the weather is hot enough, it will lead to drought stress.
If the hosta is growing in partial shade and the sun is too intense, the edge may turn brown at first, starting at the tips.
How to fix it
Constantly monitor how moist the soil around the hosta is. Water the hosta with one or more gallons when the ground dries out more than 2 inches.
This is especially important in the first few years after planting. Drought stress usually occurs during the hot summer months. But it rarely happens in spring or fall, much less winter.
Mulch your hostas with pine bark or wood chips about 2 to 3 inches thick. The distance between the stems and the mulch should be about 1 inch.
Too much sun
Too much sun is a widespread problem with hostas. These plants grow well in full shade, but unfortunately, it is not always possible to provide them with the right conditions.
The more sun-resistant hostas will turn yellowish-green. Less sun-tolerant varieties will get brown or even white areas on their leaves.
Eventually, the leaves in the burn areas will dry out and turn light or dark brown. Sometimes, even the entire leaf may die.
How to fix it
The first thing you can do is shade the hosta. Use an umbrella or something else to protect the hosta from direct sun.
Water the hosta one additional time with 1-2 gallons of water. Water only in the evening or in the morning.
Transplant the hosta to a more shady location in the coming fall or spring. Avoid transplanting in winter or summer.
Diseases
Almost all hosta diseases leave marks on the leaves in one way or another. First, this applies to fungal diseases such as anthracnose and a few others.
Fungal diseases usually damage the leaf blade in the form of brown spots or black necroses. Over time, the spots become more and more numerous, and the leaf dies and turns completely brown.
The second type of disease is petiole rot. This disease causes the bottom of the petioles to rot and turn brown. In addition, the edges of the leaves also turn brown.
Read also: Hosta Diseases and Treatments.
How to fix it
To avoid fungal diseases, plant your hosta in a well-ventilated and not-too-humid place, and never over-water it.
If the disease happens, spray the leaves with a multi-purpose fungicide. Repeat the treatment after 10 to 15 days.
To avoid petiole rot, do not cover the petioles with mulch. Also, do not plant the hosta too deep. The place where the petioles and roots join should be at ground level or no deeper than an inch in the ground.
Overwatering
Although the hosta needs a relatively large amount of water, overwatering can still hurt it. If the soil around the roots is wet for too long, the roots will rot.
As a result, the leaves will not get any water and will turn brown around the edge or from the tips. In addition, the petioles will fall to the ground and will have black spots on them.
How to fix it
To avoid root rot, do not over-water your hosta. After the top 2 inches of soil have dried out, the hosta needs to be watered.
Do not plant the hosta close to areas with a lot of water, for example, near a pond or where rainwater from a roof collects.
If root rot has occurred, dig out the hosta and clean the dirt. Use a sterile tool to remove the rotten part. Wash the wounds with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and powder them with crushed activated charcoal.
Plant the hosta in full shade and well-drained soil. Don’t water for a few days, then water very sparingly.
Seasonal dieback
The life cycle of the hosta involves the dying off of the upper part over the winter. In other words, the leaves and stems of the hosta die with the coming of winter, but new ones appear with the coming of spring.
Some types and varieties of hostas change color before they lose their leaves. First, the leaves turn yellow; if the weather is dry, part of the leaf blade becomes crispy brown.
This usually happens in early fall, but it can happen even in August with some hostas.
In most cases, the leaf does not turn completely brown. The central part of the leaf remains green until the first frost.
How to fix it
You don’t have to do anything about leaves that turn brown in early fall. Let them stay because they are still suitable for the hosta. As soon as the frosts come, the whole top part of the plant will fall to the ground, and then you have to cut it off and throw it away.
Late frost damage
Hostas unfold their leaves in the spring. But late frosts can occur throughout the spring and even on the eve of summer.
Young hosta leaves are susceptible to temperature changes. Even a slight frost can damage young foliage. As a result, the leaf becomes watery, and if the sun shines brightly simultaneously, it turns brown.
Hosta leaves can be damaged not only by frost but also by a sudden drop in temperature. Watery spots may appear on them that will darken over time.
How to fix it
If late frosts often occur in your area, watch the spring weather forecast. When frosts approach, cover the hosta with protective material.
Place four thin supports around the bush beforehand to prevent the material from laying on the leaves. Use a covering material that lets the air through. Avoid covering the hosta with plastic.
Read more: How do you keep Hosta healthy and thriving?
Should I cut off brown hosta leaves?
You need to cut off the brown hosta leaves if no green part is left on them. In other words, if the leaf is entirely dead, then remove it.
If the leaf is brown around the edge or at the tip but the middle of the leaf is still green, then leave it. The green part will provide energy for the rest of the season.
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Hello Igor. Can you tell me what is wrong with my hostas? I am in central Oklahoma and it seems to soon for fall die off. No sun. I have cut back on watering because my Bergenia was turning black. Thank you!
Juli
Hi Juli, Your hostas are fine. They are preparing to fall off for the winter and are therefore turning yellow. Now is the right time for this.