Those broad leaves that once filled your garden beds can become stubborn residents when you decide they need to go. If you have been searching for the best method on how to get rid of hostas, you likely already know that simply pulling the leaves isn’t enough. These perennials have thick, tangled root systems that can snap back to life if even a small piece is left behind.
You have options, ranging from simple digging to chemical treatments. The right choice depends on how many plants you have, your physical limits, and whether you plan to replant in that spot soon. Here is a straightforward guide to help you clear your garden for good.
Why Hostas Are So Hard To Remove
Before you grab a shovel, it helps to understand what you are up against. Hostas are not delicate plants. They are built to survive cold winters, hot summers, and even neglect.
The main issue is the root system. It is a dense, fibrous mass that grows horizontally just below the soil surface. When you pull up the plant, these roots break off easily. Each broken piece contains enough energy to sprout a new plant next spring.
Also, hostas have a central crown. If you leave the crown in the ground, it will regrow. You have to remove the entire crown and as many roots as possible to stop the cycle.
How To Get Rid Of Hostas: Digging Them Out
This is the most common method, and it works well for small clumps or individual plants. It is physical work, but it is also the most reliable way to ensure they do not come back.
Tools You Will Need
- Sharp spade or shovel
- Garden fork
- Pruning shears or a sharp knife
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Sturdy gloves
Step-By-Step Digging Process
- Water the soil first. Dry soil makes the roots crumble. Water the area deeply the day before you plan to dig. This softens the ground and keeps the root ball intact.
- Cut the leaves back. Trim the foliage down to about 4 inches above the ground. This gives you better access to the crown and reduces the amount of plant material you have to handle.
- Loosen the soil around the plant. Insert your spade or garden fork about 6 to 8 inches away from the base of the plant. Push it in at an angle and pry upward. Work your way around the entire perimeter.
- Lift the root ball. Once the soil is loose, grab the base of the plant and pull upward. If it resists, use the fork to lever it out of the ground. Do not yank hard, as this will snap the crown.
- Shake off excess soil. Tap the root ball against the ground to remove loose dirt. This exposes the roots so you can see what you are dealing with.
- Inspect for broken roots. Look closely at the hole. If you see thick, white roots still in the soil, dig them out with your fingers or the fork. This is the most critical step.
- Dispose of the plants. Place the root balls in a trash bag. Do not compost them. Compost piles often do not get hot enough to kill the roots, and you will spread them back into your garden.
This method is effective, but it leaves you with a hole. You will need to fill it with fresh topsoil or compost. Also, expect to see a few stray shoots pop up in the following weeks. Just pull them out when you see them, and they will eventually stop.
Using A Garden Fork For Large Clumps
If you have a massive, mature hosta that is several years old, a simple shovel might not be enough. The root ball can be as wide as 3 feet and very heavy.
In this case, do not try to lift the whole thing at once. Instead, use a garden fork to loosen the soil, then cut the root ball into smaller sections with your spade. Remove each section one at a time. This makes the job much more manageable and reduces the risk of back strain.
You can also use a mattock or an axe to chop through the crown if it is too thick for a spade. Just be careful with your feet and legs.
How To Get Rid Of Hostas With Chemicals
If you have a large area covered in hostas, or if you have physical limitations that make digging impossible, herbicides are an option. This method takes longer, but it is less labor-intensive.
You need a non-selective herbicide that contains glyphosate. This is the active ingredient in products like Roundup. It kills the plant down to the roots when applied to the leaves.
Applying Herbicide Safely
- Choose a calm day. Wind can carry the spray onto your other plants. Wait for a day with no breeze.
- Spray the leaves thoroughly. Cover the foliage with the herbicide, but do not spray to the point of runoff. You want a light, even coat.
- Wait for the plant to die. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for the herbicide to travel down to the roots. The leaves will turn yellow and then brown.
- Remove the dead foliage. Once the plant is completely dead, you can cut it down and dispose of it. The roots will be dead too, but they will still be in the soil.
- Dig out the dead crown. The dead roots are easier to pull out because they are brittle. Use a shovel to remove the crown and the top layer of dead roots.
Be aware that glyphosate is non-selective. It will kill any plant it touches. If you have desirable plants nearby, cover them with plastic sheeting or cardboard before you spray.
Also, note that glyphosate is deactivated when it touches the soil. It will not linger in the ground or harm future plants. However, you should still wait a few days before planting anything new in that spot.
The Smothering Method: Blocking The Sun
This is a passive method that works well if you are not in a hurry. It is also a good option if you want to avoid chemicals and heavy digging. The idea is to cut off the plant’s access to light and water.
How To Smother Hostas
- Cut the hostas down to the ground. Use shears or a string trimmer to remove all the foliage.
- Cover the area with cardboard. Overlap the edges of the cardboard by at least 6 inches. This prevents light from getting through.
- Wet the cardboard. Soak it thoroughly with a garden hose. This helps it conform to the ground and keeps it in place.
- Add a thick layer of mulch. Spread 4 to 6 inches of wood chips, straw, or compost over the cardboard. This weighs it down and looks better than bare cardboard.
- Wait. Leave this in place for at least one full growing season. The roots will starve without leaves to photosynthesize.
This method is very effective, but it requires patience. You will not be able to plant anything in that area for several months. However, by the end of the season, the cardboard and mulch will have broken down, and the hosta roots will be dead and decomposed.
Solarization: Using Heat To Kill Roots
If you live in a hot climate, you can use the sun to bake the roots. This is similar to smothering, but it uses clear plastic instead of cardboard. The heat builds up under the plastic and cooks the roots.
- Cut the hostas down to the ground.
- Water the soil deeply. Moist soil conducts heat better than dry soil.
- Cover the area with clear plastic sheeting. Use 1 to 4 mil thick plastic. Bury the edges of the plastic in the soil to hold it down.
- Leave it for 4 to 6 weeks. The hottest part of the summer is the best time for this. The soil temperature needs to reach at least 110°F to kill the roots.
This method works, but it is not practical for large areas. It is also ugly, and the plastic can degrade and blow away. Use it only for small, isolated patches.
What To Do With The Hosta Plants
Do not throw hostas in your compost bin. As mentioned earlier, the roots can survive and sprout in your compost pile. Instead, you have a few other options.
- Give them away. Post them on a local gardening group or social media. Many people will come and dig them out for free if you let them take the plants.
- Relocate them. If you have a shady spot where they are not a problem, you can transplant them there. Just make sure you dig up the entire root ball.
- Trash them. This is the safest option. Put them in a black plastic bag and set them out with your regular trash.
If you give them away, make sure the person digs them out themselves. This saves you the labor and ensures they get the whole root system.
Preventing Hostas From Coming Back
Even after you remove the main plant, you may see small shoots appearing for weeks or months. This is normal. The roots are stubborn, and they will keep trying to grow.
Here is how to handle regrowth:
- Check the area weekly. Walk around the spot and look for new green shoots.
- Pull them out immediately. The smaller the shoot, the easier it is to pull. If you let it grow, it will develop a new root system.
- Use a sharp hoe. If you have a lot of regrowth, you can slice them off at the soil level. This will weaken the roots over time.
- Apply a spot-treatment herbicide. If you used the digging method, you can apply a small amount of glyphosate to any new leaves that appear. This kills the root without you having to dig again.
Do not give up. It might take a full season to get rid of every last piece. But if you are consistent, you will win.
Alternative: Replacing Hostas With Other Plants
Once the hostas are gone, you will have bare soil. This is the perfect time to plant something new. If the area is shady, consider ferns, astilbe, or bleeding hearts. These have similar growing requirements but are easier to control.
If you want to prevent future weeds, cover the soil with a layer of compost and then a layer of mulch. This will keep the soil moist and suppress any stray seeds from germinating.
Also, consider installing a physical barrier. You can bury a plastic or metal edging around the perimeter of the bed. This will stop the hosta roots from creeping in from a neighboring area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Just Mow Over Hostas To Get Rid Of Them?
Mowing will cut the leaves, but it will not kill the roots. The plant will regrow quickly. You have to remove the root system or use a herbicide to kill it.
Will Boiling Water Kill Hostas?
Boiling water will kill the leaves and the top of the crown, but it may not penetrate deep enough to kill the entire root system. It is not a reliable method for permanent removal. You will likely see regrowth.
How Long Does It Take For Hostas To Die After Spraying?
It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for the plant to show signs of dying. The leaves will yellow and wilt. You should wait until the leaves are completely brown before you try to remove the dead roots.
Can I Compost Hosta Leaves If They Are Not The Roots?
Yes, you can compost the leaves, but you must be careful. If there is any piece of the crown or root attached, it can regrow. It is safer to just throw the entire plant in the trash.
Is It Easier To Dig Hostas In Spring Or Fall?
Spring is easier because the soil is moist and the roots are not as deeply established. Fall is also good, but the roots are storing energy for winter, so they are more resilient. Spring is the best time for manual removal.
Removing hostas takes effort, but it is a task you can handle in a weekend. Whether you choose to dig, spray, or smother, the key is to be thorough and patient. Check the area for regrowth regularly, and you will have a clean, hosta-free garden bed in no time.