Hostas are loved for their bold leaves, rich texture, and ability to thrive in shade. They bring fullness and softness to garden beds and are often the stars of shaded corners.
By the time June arrives, your hostas are in their prime. Their leaves have fully unfurled, the color is deep, and they are actively growing.
But the early summer heat and increased sun exposure can begin to stress them if you are not careful.
With a few focused steps, your hostas will continue to thrive and bring calm beauty to your landscape all season long.
Keep the Soil Moist to Avoid Stress
Hostas are shade lovers, but they still need plenty of water to stay full and lush.
Their large leaves lose moisture quickly, especially in warmer weather. If the roots dry out, the leaves begin to wilt and edges start to brown.
June often brings warmer, drier days, so now is the time to focus on consistent watering. Hostas like evenly moist soil, not soggy but never dry.
Check the soil every few days. If the top inch feels dry, water deeply so the roots are well soaked.
Early morning is the best time to water. It gives the plant a chance to absorb the moisture before the sun gets strong and allows the leaves to dry during the day.
Avoid watering in the evening if possible. Wet leaves overnight can lead to fungal problems or mildew.
Adding mulch helps hold moisture and cool the soil. A two-inch layer of shredded bark, pine needles, or compost keeps the roots happy and reduces how often you need to water.
Hostas in containers dry out faster and need more attention. Check them daily and move them into light shade if they begin to struggle in direct sun.
Remove Damaged Leaves Before They Spread Trouble
Even with good care, hosta leaves can get torn, burned, or chewed by early summer.
Damaged leaves not only look untidy, they can also invite pests or disease if left alone.
Walk your garden often and inspect your hostas closely.
Look for leaves with ragged edges, brown tips, holes, or signs of mold. If you find any, remove them by cutting near the base of the leaf stem.
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners and wipe them between cuts if you are removing infected parts. This helps prevent spreading any issues from one plant to another.
Do not just pull the leaves by hand. That can tear the plant or leave a stub that turns brown.
Removing damaged leaves also lets the plant focus its energy on new growth. A tidy plant is stronger, less inviting to pests, and more pleasing to look at.
Clearing the clutter now keeps the rest of the season healthier and your hostas looking their best.
Watch for Slugs and Stop Them Early
Slugs are one of the biggest threats to hostas. They love the wide, tender leaves and often show up in June when conditions are warm and damp.
You may not see the slugs during the day, but the damage they leave behind is easy to spot. Look for holes in the leaves, especially near the edges, and shiny trails on the soil.
Start controlling slugs before their population grows. The earlier you catch them, the easier they are to manage.
Hand-picking works well in small gardens. Visit your plants in the early morning or evening and remove slugs by hand.
You can also set shallow dishes of beer into the ground. Slugs are attracted to the scent, fall in, and drown.
Another option is to create barriers using crushed eggshells, sand, or diatomaceous earth around the base of your hostas. These materials are sharp or dry and discourage slugs from crawling across.
Keep the area around your hostas clean. Remove old leaves, pull weeds, and avoid overwatering. Slugs love damp, shady hiding places.
With regular effort, you can stay ahead of slugs and protect your hostas from becoming their summer buffet.
Fertilize Gently to Keep Growth Strong
Hostas do not need heavy feeding, but they do benefit from a little help during active growth.
By June, they are expanding quickly, and a light feeding supports their leaves without pushing too much growth too fast.
If you enriched the soil in spring with compost or slow-release fertilizer, you may not need to feed again yet. But if the leaves look pale, weak, or stunted, a mild boost can help.
Choose a balanced fertilizer or one with slightly more nitrogen to support foliage development.
Apply it around the drip line of the plant, not directly at the base, and water thoroughly afterward.
Avoid overfeeding. Too much fertilizer can cause floppy growth, increase slug damage, or make the plant more sensitive to heat.
Organic options like fish emulsion, compost tea, or worm castings are excellent gentle choices that release nutrients slowly.
Feeding just enough keeps your hostas green and full without making them grow too fast or too soft.
Protect From Sun Damage in Hot Weather
While hostas enjoy shade, many varieties can tolerate some sun. But too much direct sun in June can cause the leaves to scorch, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Signs of sun damage include brown edges, faded leaf color, and patches of yellowing where the sun hits directly.
If your hosta is getting too much sun, try to provide protection before the hottest weeks of summer begin.
You can move potted hostas to a shadier spot. For plants in the ground, consider using a shade cloth, a temporary garden umbrella, or even taller nearby plants to cast light shade.
Hostas with thicker leaves and blue or green coloring usually handle sun better than thinner, yellow, or variegated types.
In hot climates, even a few hours of afternoon shade can make a big difference in keeping your plants happy.
Protecting your hostas from too much sun helps them retain their color, avoid stress, and continue to grow strong through the warmest weeks of summer.
Divide and Replant Only If Necessary
June is not the best time to divide hostas, but it is a good time to notice if division may be needed later.
If your hosta is struggling to grow evenly, has a bald center, or is crowding nearby plants, it may be a sign that the clump is too large.
Take note of any signs that division is needed and plan to do it in early spring or fall, when the weather is cooler and the plant is less stressed.
Dividing hostas in June can be done in an emergency, such as if a plant is suffering or must be moved.
If so, water the plant deeply the day before, dig carefully around the root ball, and replant quickly in a shady spot.
Keep the new divisions well watered and out of direct sun until they recover. Apply a layer of mulch and remove any damaged leaves to reduce transplant shock.
Try not to divide unless absolutely necessary. June is a growth month, and most hostas prefer to stay in place while they expand their leaves and strengthen their roots.
Observing now and acting later is usually the better choice.
Remove Flower Stalks If You Prefer More Leaves
Hostas bloom in summer with tall stalks of lavender or white flowers. Some gardeners love the blooms, while others prefer to remove them to keep the focus on the leaves.
If you enjoy the flowers, let them bloom and fade naturally. But if you want to keep your hostas looking full and neat, you can remove the flower stalks before or just after they bloom.
Use sharp scissors to cut the stalks near the base of the plant. Removing them early sends more energy back into the roots and leaves.
Flower removal is a personal choice and does not hurt the plant either way.
In some cases, trimming the flowers can also reduce slug interest or help reduce leaf clutter near the base.
Whether you let them bloom or not, keeping the area clean and removing faded stalks helps your hostas stay fresh and tidy.
Final Thoughts
June is a month of full growth for your hostas. Their leaves are open, their roots are busy, and their energy is focused on staying strong for the season ahead.
What you do now sets the tone for the rest of summer.
Whether you are growing one plant or a whole shaded bed, the care you give in June keeps them beautiful, healthy, and strong.
With a little time and attention, your hostas will reward you with weeks of cool, lush greenery that never fails to bring calm and beauty to your garden.