If hostas have brown leaves or leaf tips, this can have various causes. In most cases, action is required to prevent serious consequential damage.
Suboptimal location
In most cases, brown leaves or leaf tips are due to a location that does not meet the requirements of the hostas. Here it is important to find a remedy quickly, because there is a risk of dying off if ideal site conditions are not provided quickly.
Sun
Hostas feel most comfortable in partial shade. If they are too sunny or even get the blazing midday sun, it shows up quickly sunburn. This is accompanied by browning of the leaves, usually starting at the tips of the hostas. A desiccation over the whole leaf and in the worst case over the whole plant follows in the further course.
remedy
- Remove affected hostas from the sun immediately
- Transplant/move to a semi-shady place
- East facing location is ideal
- Cut off dried and browned leaves at the end of the stalk
- Ensure sufficient humidity (in acute cases, spray with lime-free water - this cools down the plant)
notice: Hostas with blue foliage do not react to sunburn with brown leaves, but “bleach” and form an unspectacular green. However, that doesn't change the fact that they are equally at risk of dying off unless transplanted/moved from the sun to a partially shaded location.
Sunshock
A "sun shock" is when a hosta suddenly gets too much sun and warmth in spring after hibernating. If the hosta is exposed to warm sun for a longer or permanent period after hibernation in a cool place in the house or in a shady, wind-protected place in the garden, the foliage can turn brown. This is because it requires acclimatization to the warm sun. Therefore, the following procedure should be followed when changing location in spring:
- Place Funkie outside in the semi-shade for a maximum of one hour for a week
- Second week: stand in the sun for one hour a day (in the morning when the sun's power is still low)
- Third week: increase sun time to two and finally to three hours
- Never place in the blazing midday sun
- Fourth week: can remain in a permanent spot in partial shade
Bad plant neighbor
If the hosta is in the garden bed next to a plant that also has a continuous need for water, it can become a competitor come in which the neighboring plant withdraws the water in the soil. This is often the case with trees in the immediate vicinity. This creates an ideal condition for drying out, which is accompanied by brown leaf tips and leaves on the hostas. A different location is the only solution to the problem if the watering can is not to be used more often.
humidity
The reason for brown foliage is often due to insufficient water requirements. Hostas need moderate moisture all the time - even in winter. They react quickly to drought with brown leaf tips and in severe drought the foliage dries up completely. But too much water is also harmful. Here the foliage usually only begins to turn yellow before all parts of the plant rot and show brown discoloration.
lack of water
The most common times for brown leaves on hostas due to lack of water are in midsummer and during dry winter days. If there are brown spots on the leaves, a check of the soil moisture absolutely necessary. If the soil is too dry, under no circumstances should it simply be poured in moderation.
humidity test
- Press moderately hard into the surface of the earth with your thumb
- If the soil can be pressed in about two centimeters without any problems: do not water
- If the soil can be pressed in less than two centimetres: it must be watered
Watering after drying:
- "First aid": give the normal amount of water in three to four portions throughout the day (water less, but more often)
- From the second week slowly increase the watering frequency and individual watering amounts
- Always pour water in stages and only refill when the previous water has sunk (protects against overwatering)
- Do a moisture test before each watering
- Water in the morning and evening in summer (never in the hot midday sun)
- In winter, only water at frost-free temperatures and on dry days
tip: Brown plant stains are a sign that tissue is dying or in the process of dying. This is no longer generated, but continues to withdraw nutrients and energy from the hostas, which disrupts growth. It is therefore advisable to quickly remove leaves that have turned brown.
overhydration
Overwatering occurs when a hosta is permanently in water (waterlogging) or is watered too much. Waterlogging occurs when the soil is too dense/waterproof. If you overhydrate, there is a high risk of one rot, which, in the worst case, causes fungi to die off.
Recognizing overwatering:
- Leaves hang more and more (lose stability)
- Leaves turn yellow and fall to the ground
- Stems are severely softened
- When it rots, a musty odor rises from the earth
- Mold spores may be visible on plant parts and/or on the surface of the soil
- Final stage: browning of the leaves and stems of the hostas
Remedy:
- Let the soil dry off immediately - no watering - ideally protect from rain
- Remove leaves that have turned yellow or brown immediately
- If rotting is suspected, dig out the soil so that roots are visible but not loosened
- Leave the planting site open for a day or two so that air can dry out
- Replace excavated soil with dry, fresh and nutrient-rich soil
- Only water again when the surface of the soil has dried (see "Lack of water - moisture test")
- Transplant potted plants into fresh substrate if they are rotting
- Shorten the roots slightly before transplanting and cut off soggy and moldy root parts
- After repotting, cover the tub including the plant with a translucent bag/foil (promotes root growth)
- Remove foil/bag daily for air exchange for 30 to 45 minutes
- Pay attention to drainage or create a new one if not available (requires planting out)
snail damage
Hosta is one of the snails' delicacies. You can eat them bare within a very short time, but you can also only eat them. For the latter, brown spots on the tips and edges of the leaves or on the inside of the leaves in combination with feeding holes are typical signs of a slug infestation on hostas. The only thing that helps here is to collect the snails quickly and to protect them from further damage:
- Installation of snail traps
- Erecting a snail fence
- Dispel with scents - for example with neighboring plants thyme and lavender
leaf spot disease
When hostas suffer from leaf spot disease, this is mainly shown by brown, rust-colored spots on the leaves, which gradually spread over them. Yellow discolouration can also form. Hostas are susceptible to this fungal disease because they prefer continuous moisture, which creates optimal conditions for fungal infections.
The disease often cannot be controlled. Suitable home remedies are not available. The rescue of an affected hosta can at least be attempted with the following control strategies:
- radical cut
- Use of broad spectrum fungicides
- Cut off affected leaves and apply plenty of pesticides to strengthen them
tip: Various home remedies are suitable for strengthening hostas. Cold, dried coffee grounds are an ideal fertilizer to increase resilience.