Unveiling the Intricacies of Hosta Root Structures
- John Plant
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Hostas are grown for their wide variety of leaf colours & shapes. Their size or even growth rate. The choices are always made on what is above the ground.
However, what is underneath makes the difference in whether you get a good one or not. The root structure is probably the most important element of the Hosta.
It’s probably not the most glamorous subject to talk about, but I feel there are Hostas growers that will find this interesting.
All growing plants have root systems. They are there for a reason. We all know that with trees & shrubs, the root form a stable anchor to the round they are planted in. They are also instrumental for the uptake of water & nutrients. This is no different with Hostas.
If we take the whole crown (shown above), you will see the various elements that make up the intricate root system.
Fibrous Roots
The main function of the fibrous roots is the uptake of nutrients and water. Without these the Hosta would not survive. Fibrous roots are the first to establish.
Rhizome roots
The rhizomatous root main function is to store the moisture and nutrients taken up by the fibrous roots. This will keep the Hosta going in times of moisture reduction like a long spell of dry weather. They will also create an amount of stability in the soil, with thicker roots anchoring the crown. These will establish later in the life of the Hosta.
Cataphylls
This is the old head. This will often be a little soggy depending on the weather. The Cataphylls are a cover to the old head. This won’t grow again. Nothing to worry about!
Eye
The eyes or pips are the potential new growth of the Hosta. Just prior to or once the Hosta crown has become dormant the old head will disappear, and new growths will appear at the side of the old head. These will grow into next seasons foliage and flowers.
Like any herbaceous perennial all the new growth is to the outside of the crown, and eventually the centre will die back, making it important to split the crown on a regular basis.
There are giant Hostas and every size down to miniatures, but they will all have the same parts to the crown. Sometimes a crown will have what look like spiky hairs around the pips. These will often disappear as the plant grows.
The pips will become larger as we get to Spring. They will be in a number of colours, from white to purple. This does not signify the eventual leaf colour.
A young Hosta will start small, just like any other plant. It will start with a single pip with a fibrous root system, developing into a small shoot in the first season, These shoots will become the leaves during the growing season. They will develop over the year into a Hosta with several shoots and a bigger root ball. Each year they will produce larger leaves and carry on growing their root system. Eventually, the Hosta will be big enough to divide, having started to for a solid piece of crown.
It is amazing that miniature and very small Hostas grow from such small root system, with only a single tiny pip.
The health of each Hosta can be checked when we bare root them, to post to customers.
When the compost has removed or been washed off the root system, we are able to establish the Hosta’s health.
If, when the roots have been exposed, they are not in the best of health, then they should be repotted until the growth has been established.
Consider the health of the root system when repotting or planting. It will make a difference to the eventual full-sized Hosta.
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John Plant
Rewela Hostas
Excellent blog as always,very interesting, Is it possible to grow a hosta from a root cutting or does it have to be through division only.