Growing a hosta in Arizona

14 years ago

I live in Tucson and I have been looking online to no avail for information about growing a hosta (as a specimen plant in a container, most likely) in Tucson. The best I have found is a quote stating that people have grown them in Arizona, but no real information to help me out.

Now, I don't expect it to do splendidly, and I know they're not suited for the climate, but my reason for doing it is mainly as a gift for my mother as she's recently gotten disillusioned living here. She misses her garden back in Illinois which we both recently moved here from and she's recently given up growing anything out here after she thought she killed a couple of trees during the winter (they've since grown back, but she's still stuck in a funk.) The plant she misses most are hostas (every time I say something about "Why aren't you gardening?" she invariably brings them up.)

I thought having a hosta would remind her of home and perhaps help her get out of the funk. I'm sure people will want to say things like "They're not meant to grow here, grow x instead." but I'm set on growing one hosta in a container regardless of people attempting to dissuade me. If I just keep one in a pot for her alive for a few months, I guess that's the best I'll do, but I'd really like to know how to keep one alive in the desert climate (there are many shade spots in her yard.)

So has anyone had any experience? Know a particular variety that is suited to the climate? Has anyone even seen a hosta at a nursery anywhere in Tucson?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

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HU-989320569

3 years ago

Ok so I moved from Northern California a year ago. My hostas grew like crazy. I researched how I could take care of them in Arizona before we move. So I was able to Bring a few hostas with me and I plan it in under my awning I water them every day and sometimes in the evening and so this winter I took him out cut him down with him in my refrigerator which I keep extremely cold for two weeks I put them in the freezer for three days I took them out and they’ve been growing since March. I guess the key is to cut them down refrigerate them for a week or two put them in the freezer for no more than three days and then plant them out again in March or April. i’m going to be repeating this procedure every year because I love my hostas.

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Comments (8)

petzold6596
14 years ago
Hot sunny days in the SW is the dearth of most midwest plants. I have erected a shade cover over my veg garden which works great. You could amend the soil with pasteurized steer manure at 4:1 soil to manure, 2-3 in. mulching and erect a 4 ft. tall shade structure over the hostas. This environment should be very good as long as the soil stays on the moist side.
njohnson333_centurytel_net
14 years ago
Container growing hosta and your climate are two seperate issues. Generally crown root is the leading failure of hostas in containers. The problem with your climate is the plant needs a period of dormancy with temps below 40 degrees. Shade is easy.
I would try an inexpensive smaller variety. Im sure Mom would love to see one of the lush huge ones but thats more problematic. You'll need to water daily at least during your brutal summer...keep the soil moist not soggy. You'll also need a weak feed since you'll be watering out the soils nutrients.
The dorminacy issue you'll have to get creative with if you want it to live long. Mom might be happy to see it for a short period..but some avid gardeners also really mourn the loss of a plant. If your mom misses the midwest so desperately letting the plant die off may make matters worse.
No, it will never thrive there but its not impossible. Try contacting the universities extension Master Gardeners. There has to be hosta enthusists doing this with some measure of success.
There are excellent hosta books you can find. I would try to make this a challenge for both of you. Research the plant and its history together. Engage your mom rather than surprise her. Your time and interest is a greater gift. This project could keep her hands and her mind busy. She could take notes on your success and failures and share that knowledge too. Look at this as an adventure..a challenge...engage her in that with you. Good medicine.
Blessings
Sha
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Brandon Brock
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I grow my Hostas in a green room year round so for the dormancy period I emmulate a fall pattern by storing the root ball in my fridge for a short period of a week or so and then I Freeze it for a few days and then I plant the frozen root ball back in its container and let it thaw in my green room and start the process all over again, well, that is my theory anyway as I am in the process of my first attempt right now. I don't see why it wouldn't work with maybe a few adjustments but we'll see. I will keep ya posted.
Brandon Brock
8 years ago
I have had alot of success grow plants strictly inside under a HPS and Metal Halide 1,000 watt light, even veggies and fruit trees so this Hosta deal may just work as I kind of fancy my cleverness...... Happy Growing!
Meoshee Jones
3 years ago
I moved here from Wisconsin and too had a bumper crop of hostas. Could you please tell me what time of the year did you cut them back, refrigerate and freeze them? I don't believe I can find hostas here in the Phoenix area, but maybe able to order the bulbs. Thank you.
j_yamnitz
last year
I live in Tucson. I did not know hostas need chill hours. I bought one at Home Depot and stuck it in the ground in a shady spot at the apartment where I used to live. It lived for the 10 years while I was there. It was fine. Tucson actually gets many nights below 40 in the winter.
HU-696983029
8 months ago
I have 80+ hosta varieties and they are beautiful. I live in Prescott Valley so it is colder than the Tucson area and therefore have the normal cycle of dormancy. In the winter a little while after they frost I will take in the mini's and the ones potted in nice pots. I do this to protect the pots so they don't freeze and crack. I store them in the garage until spring when I see them starting to send up pips. I will check them occasionally to see if they need a little water.

Growing a hosta in Arizona

HU-989320569

Comments (8)

petzold6596

njohnson333_centurytel_net

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