The Pesky Reason Not To Leave Dead Leaves On Your Hosta Plant All Winter

As the seasons change and leaves fall from the trees, you may notice some brown or yellow foliage on your hosta plants. While dying plants are a sign that cooler weather is on the way, avoid the temptation to leave your hostas as-is. Late fall is the perfect time to remove these dead leaves, and there are two good reasons to do so: First, brown leaves on your hosta plants can invite fungal infections, and second, if you have voles in your yard, these small burrowing rodents may see those brown leaves as an invitation to make the plants their homes. And since voles like to feast on a hosta plant's roots, you'll want to keep them away from your garden.

Hostas are a type of perennial that thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, and they can make beautiful additions to a landscape design for years to come as long as they're given proper care. While they require very little maintenance, not preparing for pest damage or reacting to signs of disease are two mistakes to avoid when growing garden favorite hostas. Fortunately, preparing your hostas for winter by removing their dead leaves is a quick and easy garden chore that's definitely worth the effort.

The very best time of year to prune hostas to keep them thriving is after the first hard freeze, usually in the late fall. After the frost, the hosta leaves will likely turn brown, signaling that it's time to cut the plant. To do this, use a sharp pair of garden shears to cut back the entire hosta plant, leaving only a few inches of stem above the soil line so the plant is still easily identifiable. Before using your pruning shears to tackle any other fall cleanup, be sure to sanitize them. You can do this with rubbing alcohol or a disinfecting wipe.

If the mulch around your hosta is thinning out, adding a light layer can help protect your plants from the freeze-thaw cycle. However, before you do this, pick up any fallen leaves from trees that surround your hosta. They may introduce the same problems as leaving dead leaves on your hosta plants, including heightening the risk of fungal infections and creating a hospitable environment for voles to hang out. Implementing this fall routine is a small step that aids in successfully caring for hosta plants so that they thrive next growing season.