Do hostas do well under cedar trees?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 20, 2026
Hostas are tough, hardy plants that generally succeed well under trees. To keep both the cedar and the hosta healthy, plant hostas in pockets between cedar roots. Never cut major roots while planting. When the hostas are young and have not yet grown together to form a mat, mulch between the plants to conserve moisture.
What to plant next to Cedars?
Plants That Grow Well Under Cedar Trees
- Creeping Wintergreen. Creeping wintergreen can do quite well, but you'll need to keep it trimmed. ...
- Bugleweed. Bugleweed is easy to grow, and makes for great ground cover. ...
- Ice Plant. ...
- Periwinkle. ...
- Chinese Lantern Plants. ...
- Oakleaf Hydrangea. ...
- Rhododendron. ...
- Mountain Witch Alder.
Can I put hostas around trees?
Placed on the north or east side of a home or in a tree-shaded area, hostas typically thrive. Lakowske does have one caveat about placing a hosta under a shade tree: “Don't put them under maple trees.
Where should you not plant hostas?
It's important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that's fertile and full of organic matter. Avoid planting hostas in heavy clay soil, which won't offer enough drainage. In areas that receive a lot of snow in the winter, to protect stems and leaves, place hostas where snow tends to pile up.
Will hostas grow around tree roots?
Dig a hole at least as deep as the root ball of the hosta you want to plant and one-to-two times wider. If you encounter a large feeder root during excavation, work around it; a hosta will grow around a tree root without any problems so long as it is deep enough.
26 related questions foundWill hostas grow under evergreens?
Hostas can grow well under the shade of pine trees if the soil is amended with plenty of organic matter before planting. Compost, leaf mould and well rotted manure are great amendments that will provide nutrients and retain a consistent moisture supply that hostas need to maintain their structure and stay healthy.
Will hostas survive under pine trees?
Grow Hostas Under Pine Trees
Begin at least 12 inches from the pine tree's trunk. Dig a small hole with a trowel that is just large enough for the hosta roots or root ball. If you start to dig and find a large pine tree root, move over the hole 6 to 12 inches to avoid damaging the bark.
What time of year should you plant hostas?
Spring is the best time to plant, transplant and divide hostas, when leaves are beginning to emerge. To plant, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide as the diameter. Space your hostas out as required by their spread at maturity.
Do you cut back hostas in the fall?
They are often cut back during early fall cleanup. Hostas will flatten out and get mushy after they have been frosted a few times — that is when I would clean them up. While it is a good idea to cut back hostas in very late fall, I often run out of time and do not cut them back until spring with no harmful effects.
Are hostas poisonous to dogs?
Hostas are popular for being a low-maintenance plant. They grow fast and require very little attention. But if you have a pet you will have to pay attention to them around your Hostas. The toxins glycoside saponins are what make Hostas poisonous for pets.
How long does it take hostas to spread?
During spring, hosta foliage will continue to expand and grow, completing the process within six to eight weeks of emergence.
Do hostas need to be in the shade?
It's for good reason—hostas absolutely love shade. Indeed, they languish in the hot afternoon sun so your shady landscape will provide them just the right conditions.
Are hosta roots invasive?
They do not spread from underground roots and become invasive. Hostas thrive in total shade to nearly full sun which makes them ideal for planting under trees. I like to plant Hostas in a ring around a tree. It's much better for the tree than mounding mulch around the trunk.
Does anything grow under cedar trees?
However, some ground covers, perennials, shrubs and ferns require acidic soils and tolerate drought and shade, and these plants will successfully grow under cedar trees.
Does cedar inhibit plant growth?
In summary, despite what you may read and hear, there is no scientific evidence that mulches of cedar sawdust or woodchips will have a negative impact on plant growth.
Will hostas regrow if cut back?
If you want to remove hostas from your garden, don't just trim them back—they will regrow. Instead, dig up the roots and remove the entire plant. Below, we'll discuss how to help damaged hostas grow back more quickly.
Should you deadhead hostas?
Deadheading, or removing the flower stems either before or after bloom, prevents the hosta from forming seeds so it can focus its energy on healthy leaf growth.
Should I cut the flowers off my hosta?
The American Hosta Society recommends cutting off each scape after three-fourths of the flower buds have opened; this keeps the plants from diverting energy into setting seeds for the next year so instead they'll grow more roots and leaves.
How do you plant hostas under a tree?
How to Plant Hostas Under Trees—Step by Step
- Step One—Pick Smaller Plants. ...
- Step Two—Start Digging Slightly Away from the Tree's Trunk. ...
- Step Three—Test and Amend the Soil. ...
- Step Four—Insert Your Hostas. ...
- Step Five—Mulch and Fertilize.
Do hostas spread?
Small varieties spread three times as wide as they are tall. Medium-size varieties spread twice their height, and the larger varieties are at least as wide as they are tall. Hostas are disease-resistant, but their succulent leaves are no match for slugs and snails.
Do hostas like sun?
Hosta varieties with extensive white coloration or with thin leaves are likely to burn in full sun. In general, blue-leaf hostas require shade, while those with fragrant flowers, gold or yellow foliage or slight white variegation can tolerate more sun.
Do hostas like pine needles?
Hostas. Broad-leafed hostas, also acid-loving plants, do well with a thick layer of pine needles spread around the base of each plant. Not only will the mulch keep the soil moist, but it will also provide a pleasing contrast to the lush blue-greens, greens and yellow-golds of different hosta varieties.
What is the best mulch for hostas?
The best mulch for hostas is compost and pine bark. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the hosta in early spring. Renew the mulch once a year. The advantages of mulch are that moisture evaporates slowly from the soil, and this is especially important for growing hostas because they are moisture-loving plants.
What to plant under evergreen trees?
Some plants that will do fairly well under evergreen trees include Azaleas , Woodland Sunflowers , Hostas , Jacob's Ladder , Lily of the Valley , and Ivory Sedge .