Growing Hostas Indoors?

Jan 174 min read

On our website, one of the most common questions we get asked is, can grow I Hostas indoors?

Typically, Hostas are grown outdoors in shady or semi-shady areas, either in the ground or in containers. However, just because growing Hosta as an indoor plant isn’t the norm, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done!

So! Can I Grow Hosta Indoors?

Yes! However, growing Hosta indoors requires a bit more care and attention to ensure the plant’s needs are met. You are not growing them indoors, just borrowing them for a while.

Should I grow Hosta indoors?

The simple answer is No! Hostas are an outdoor herbaceous perennial that love the outdoor conditions and need those outdoor conditions to grow well. Growing them indoors in falsely created conditions is not good for the Hosta.

Don’t grow them indoors, but, by all means, just bring them in occasionally, for a temporary bit of a display. To brighten up a room a little. …. But only for a short while.

If this is your first time growing Hosta indoors, start with a few and slowly expand as you get the hang of keeping them healthy and thriving.

Hostas need to be outdoors by at least the end of October, to start their process of dormancy and should not be brought back inside again until at least early March. Any sooner and your Hostas will not be at their best come late Summer.

Hostas lose their leaves from October onwards, sometimes earlier. Don’t worry; this is par for the course. They need a period of dormancy of about 12 weeks for the maximum benefits, at 5C or less. You can’t replicate this easily indoors.

Hostas are outdoor herbaceous perennials designed to grow in outdoor conditions. Once established, are perfectly hardy and happy and can be left out through winter.

There are literally thousands of indoor plants to choose from, most of which are easy to grow, but ALL designed to be indoors. So! Why put a Hosta amongst them? Why on earth would you go to the trouble of growing an outdoor plant such as Hostas, indoors when there are so many magnificent alternatives that are designed to be indoor plants.

Go on! Have a go if that is your thing. At least they will have less issue with slugs & snails indoors, but beware Red Spider Mite & Aphids. Nature will get you, whatever you do. Maintaining the right moisture level is very difficult. Keep the Hosta specimens small enough to be able to move in & out. Don’t use giant ones.

A common problem with growing Hostas indoors is managing the correct moisture levels in the pots. The atmosphere indoors is usually steady & warm, drying the compost out, far more quickly than it would outdoors.

Hostas need to be outdoors from October right through to spring, and the outdoors conditions will allow the Hosta the correct dormancy period, ideally, all year round.

If you don’t let your Hosta have an essential period of dormancy, they will be weaker than they would have been and gradually will just fade away, if nothing changes.

One of the main issues of having Hostas indoors, as that they hang on to their foliage longer, and then start growing earlier than normal in the season. This shortens the dormancy period drastically and weakens the Hosta. They need that winter period outdoors to be as long as possible.

Whilst we are on about dormancy, it is often asked if Hostas should be brought in, to protect them from the frost & snow. Put them in a dark garage or cold or warm greenhouse? My opinion is NO! Once established, Hostas are perfectly hardy plants and, in most cases, need little protection. Our display pots stay where they are all Winter and all Summer.

Pots that are not yet established (less than 1yr in the pot) and miniatures can be placed somewhere sheltered, such as under some overhanging foliage, but still left outdoors. A cold, light, airy polytunnel will be the nearest to putting them indoors.

If you really want to have a go at growing Hostas indoors, avoid large & giant Hostas as they get very big & heavy, making then difficult to move. Start with a few small ones.

Do not leave them indoors for lengthy periods. I suggest no more than 3 – 4 weeks Max. Put them back to their natural environment.

Bring them in as a temporary display, but please, don’t try and grow them indoors.

Happy Hosta growing, however you choose to do it.

To learn more about Hostas, you may be interested in reading : How to care for your Hostas Over Winter, What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Hostas?, Ways to Protect Your Hostas from Slugs and Snails and "Uncovering the Advantages of Bare Root Hostas