What Eats Hosta

If you’ve found mysterious holes in your beautiful hosta leaves, you’re likely wondering what eats hosta. These shade-loving perennials are a favorite snack for a suprising number of garden pests, from tiny insects to larger animals. Don’t worry, though. Identifying the culprit is the first step to getting your plants back to their lush, green selves.

This guide will help you spot the damage and figure out who’s to blame. We’ll then cover effective, practical ways to protect your garden. Let’s get started.

The list of pests attracted to hostas is unfortunately quite long. The damage they cause looks different, so you can play detective by examining the clues left on the leaves.

Slugs and Snails

These are the most common offenders. They feed at night and on rainy days, leaving behind irregular holes with smooth edges. You’ll often see their telltale silvery slime trails on the leaves and soil around the plant.

They prefer damp, shady conditions—exactly where hostas thrive.
Young, tender leaves are they’re favorite target in spring.

Deer

Deer consider hostas a real treat. Their damage is severe and obvious, often leaving only the tough leaf stems (petioles) sticking out of the ground.

They tear at the leaves, leaving ragged, shredded edges.
Damage usually occurs overnight or in the early morning.

Voles

These small rodents attack from below. They chew on the thick, fleshy roots and crowns of the plant, often killing it entirely.

Plants may wilt suddenly or can be easily lifted from the soil because the roots are gone.
Look for small, mouse-like tunnels in the soil around the base.

Japanese Beetles

These metallic green-and-copper beetles are voracious. They skeletonize leaves, eating the tissue between the veins so that only a lacy framework remains.

They feed in broad daylight, usually in groups.
Their peak activity is in mid-summer.

Cutworms and Other Caterpillars

Some caterpillars, like cutworms, chew large chunks from leaf edges. Others, like the larvae of black vine weevils, notch the edges in a distinctive pattern.

Inspect the undersides of leaves for the caterpillars themselves or their droppings.
Nighttime checks with a flashlight can reveal these hidden munchers.

Rabbits and Groundhogs

These mammals leave clean-cut, angled bites on leaves and stems, similar to a knife cut. Rabbits tend to eat lower leaves, while groundhogs can devour entire plants.

Look for droppings nearby to confirm the visitor.
They often feed in the early evening or dawn.

How to Stop Pests From Eating Your Hostas

Once you know the enemy, you can choose the right defense. A layered approach is often most succesful.

For Slugs and Snails:

Hand-picking: Go out at night with a flashlight and a bucket of soapy water. It’s effective but requires consistency.
Traps: Sink a cup of beer into the soil so the rim is at ground level. Slugs will fall in and drown.
Barriers: Sprinkle a ring of diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around plants. These sharp particles deter them.
Iron Phosphate Baits: These are pet-safe slug baits that are very effective. Scatter them according to package directions.

For Deer:

Fencing: A tall fence (at least 8 feet) is the only guaranteed solution.
Repellents: Use commercial or homemade sprays containing eggs, garlic, or capsaicin. Reapply after rain.
Plant Choice: Surround hostas with plants deer dislike, such as ferns, daffodils, or lavender, to create a less appealing border.

For Voles:

Protect Roots at Planting: Plant your hosta in a wire mesh basket or surround the root ball with gravel.
Keep Areas Clean: Remove thick mulch and ground cover near hostas to eliminate their hiding spots.
Trapping: Use mouse traps baited with apple placed in their runways.

For Japanese Beetles:

In the morning, when they are sluggish, shake them off plants into a bucket of soapy water.
Use neem oil as a deterrent spray, applying it regularly.
Avoid Japanese beetle traps, as they can attract more beetles to your yard than they catch.

General Preventative Measures

Good garden hygiene goes a long way in preventing infestations.

Clear away leaf litter and debris in fall and spring to remove pest hiding places and egg sites.
Water in the morning so leaves dry by evening, making them less inviting to slugs and fungal diseases.
Encourage natural predators like birds, toads, and ground beetles. A bird bath or toad house can help.

Choosing Less Vulnerable Hosta Varieties

While no hosta is completely pest-proof, some are more resistant. Thick, heavily textured leaves are less appealing to slugs and tougher for insects to chew.

Look for varieties like ‘Halcyon’, ‘June’, ‘Sum and Substance’, or ‘Blue Angel’.
These varieties have thicker leaf substance that pests find less desireable.
They can still be eaten under heavy pressure, but they often fare better than thin-leaved types.

FAQ: Common Questions About Hosta Pests

Q: What is eating my hostas at night?
A: The most likely nighttime feeders are slugs, snails, cutworms, deer, and voles. Check for slime trails (slugs), ragged edges (deer), or notched leaf margins (weevil larvae).

Q: How do I keep animals from eating my hostas?
A: For rabbits and groundhogs, a low chicken wire fence can help. For deer, you need tall fencing or strong repellents. Removing cover and using physical barriers at the base can deter voles.

Q: What makes holes in hosta leaves?
A: Irregular holes are typically from slugs. Larger, clean-cut sections are from rabbits or groundhogs. Skeletonized leaves that look like lace are from Japanese beetles.

Q: Will hostas grow back after being eaten?
A: Yes, hostas are resilient. If the roots and crown are intact, they will usually send up new leaves, especially if the damage happens early in the season. Plants severely damaged by voles may not recover.

Q: Are there any plants I can put with hostas to deter pests?
A: While not foolproof, strong-scented plants like garlic, chives, or alliums can help mask the scent of hostas from some animals. Many gardeners find this tactic useful for a variety of pests.

Protecting your hostas is an ongoing part of garden care. By identifying the specific pest and taking targeted action, you can minimize damage and enjoy your plants foliage all season long. Regular monitoring and combining a few methods will give you the best results. Remember, a healthy hosta is always better able to withstand a little pest pressure, so provide good soil and proper water to keep them strong.