10 Common Mistakes That Are Sure To Kill Your Hostas

Deer munch on hosta leaves, leaving ragged edges and messes like droppings and hoofprints; protect hostas with netting, fencing, or repellents.

Deer Accessing Hostas

Voles and mice damage hosta roots, causing yellowing and wilting; protect plants by keeping the garden clean, using gravel

Rodents Eating Hostas’ Roots

Cutworms eat various hosta parts, while black vine weevil larvae damage roots; manually remove cutworms

Cutworms and Black Vine Weevils

Grasshoppers and blister beetles feed on hosta leaves; control them by removing beetles manually and using insecticidal

Blister Beetles and Grasshoppers

Fusarium hostae fungus causes black, decaying roots and yellowing leaves; prevent by avoiding plant wounds

Fusarium Root and Crown Rot

Rabbits nibble on hosta leaves and roots, leaving missing leaf tips and droppings; use rabbit repellents like onions and garlic or secure the garden.

Rabbits Feeding on Hostas

These pests thrive in moist, shady conditions, causing holes in leaves; reduce their numbers by keeping the garden clean and watering in the morning.

Slugs and Snails

Foliar and root-knot nematodes attack hostas, causing leaf discoloration and stunted growth; prevent by avoiding overhead watering

Nematodes

Caused by Colletotrichum fungus, this disease leads to tattered leaves and spots; keep plants dry, remove infected leaves, and use fungicides.

Anthracnose

Sclerotium rolfsii fungus causes yellowing and wilting leaves; remove infected plants and use soil solarization to kill the pathogen.

Petiole Blight