Hosta plants are a favorite among gardeners for their beautiful, large leaves.
They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any garden.
However, sometimes hosta leaves can turn white, which can be concerning for gardeners.
There are a few possible reasons why this may happen, but there are also some simple solutions.
If you notice your hosta leaves turning white, here are seven possible causes and solutions.
Why Do Hosta Leaves Turn White
There are a few different reasons why hosta leaves may turn white.
The most common reasons are listed below.
1. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that can affect many different kinds of plants, including hostas.
This fungus usually appears as a white powder on the plant leaves.
Powdery mildew can be caused by too much moisture, lack of air circulation, or poor drainage.
Wind, rain, or gardening tools can also spread the fungus.
How To Tell If Your Hosta Has Powdery Mildew
To tell if your hosta plant has powdery mildew, look for the following signs:
- White powder on the leaves
- Leaves that are yellowing or browning
- Wilting leaves
- Stunted growth
If you think your plant has powdery mildew, it’s essential to take action immediately.
The fungus can spread quickly and cause severe damage to your plant.
How To Treat Powdery Mildew
To treat powdery mildew, you’ll need to remove the affected leaves and ensure the plant has good air circulation.
You can also try using a natural fungicide, such as neem oil or sulfur.
2. Sunburn
Hostas are shade-loving plants, so too much sun can cause the leaves to turn white.
They need at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day.
The leaves can get sunburned if they are in direct sunlight for too long.
This can also happen if the plant is suddenly moved from a shady spot to a sunny one.
The leaves can also get sunburned if exposed to reflected light, such as from a building or pavement.
How To Tell If Your Hosta Has Sunburn
To tell if your hosta has sunburn, look for the following signs:
- White or pale leaves
- Leaves that are wilting or drooping
- Brown leaf edges
- Blistering on the leaves
How To Treat Sunburn
To treat sunburn, move the plant to a shadier location.
You must be careful, though, as moving the plant too suddenly can cause sunburn.
Slowly acclimate the plant to its new location by moving it a little bit each day.
The best way to prevent sunburn is to choose a shady spot for your plant from the start.
Ensure it will have at least four hours of indirect sunlight daily.
When grown indoors, place the plant near an east- or west-facing window.
3. Pest Infestation
A pest infestation is one of the most common reasons for hosta leaves turning white.
The most common pests that affect hostas are aphids, slugs, and snails.
Aphids are small, winged insects that feed on the sap of plants.
Slugs and snails are creatures with soft bodies that like to eat hosta leaves.
They often leave a slimy trail behind as they move.
How To Tell If Your Hosta Has A Pest Infestation
To tell if your plant has a pest infestation, look for the following signs:
- White spots or streaks on the leaves
- Holes in the leaves
- A sticky substance on the leaves
- Wilting or drooping leaves
If you think your plant has a pest infestation, it’s essential to take action right away.
Pests can spread quickly and do a lot of damage to your plant.
They can also spread to other plants in your garden.
How To Treat A Pest Infestation
To treat a pest infestation, you’ll need to remove the affected leaves and ensure the plant has good air circulation.
You can also try using a natural pesticide, such as neem oil.
Mix a solution of 1 part neem oil and 10 parts water.
Spray the solution on the infected plant and coat the leaves thoroughly.
Do this once a week until the pests are gone.
You can also try using diatomaceous earth.
This natural substance will kill pests if they come into contact with it.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of the plant, being sure to cover the leaves.
4. Low Light
Hostas need at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day.
If they don’t get enough light, the leaves can turn white.
Light is essential for the plant to produce chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color.
So, if your hosta leaves are turning white, it could be because they’re not getting enough light.
How To Tell If Your Hosta Needs More Light
To tell if your hosta needs more light, look for the following signs:
- Leaves that are pale or yellow
- Leaves that are smaller than usual
- Slow growth
- The plant leans toward the light
How To Give Your Hosta More Light
If your plant needs more light, you can try moving it to a brighter location.
Hostas need at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day.
So, if possible, place the plant near an east- or west-facing window.
You can also try using grow lights.
Grow lights are artificial lights that mimic the sun’s rays.
They can be placed close to the plant without causing any harm.
5. Nutrient Deficiency
If your hosta leaves turn white, it could be because the plant lacks nutrients.
Hostas need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
They also need other micronutrients, such as iron, magnesium, and calcium.
A deficiency in any of these nutrients can cause the leaves to turn white.
Nutrient deficiencies can happen for several reasons.
The most common reason is that the soil doesn’t have enough nutrients.
This can happen if the soil is too sandy or if it’s been depleted by previous plantings.
It can also happen if the plant isn’t getting enough water.
Water is essential for the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil.
How To Tell If Your Hosta Is Deficient In Nutrients
To tell if your plant is lacking in nutrients, look for the following signs:
- Yellow or pale leaves
- Slow growth
- Small leaves
- Leaves with spots or streaks
- Wilting or drooping leaves
How To Treat A Nutrient Deficiency
If your plant is lacking in nutrients, you can try fertilizing it.
Use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
You can also add compost to the soil to help improve its nutrient content.
However, it’s essential not to overfertilize the plant.
Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and damage the plant.
6. Temperature Stress
Hostas are sensitive to temperature changes.
The leaves can turn white if the temperature gets too hot or too cold.
This is especially common in the spring and fall.
During these times of the year, the temperature can fluctuate rapidly.
One day it might be warm, and the next, it might be cold.
These fluctuations can stress the plant and cause the leaves to turn white.
How To Tell If Temperature Changes Stress your Hosta
To tell if temperature changes stress your plant, look for the following signs:
- The leaves are wilted or drooping
- The leaves are brown or black around the edges
- The flowers are wilted or drooping
- The plant is not growing as vigorously as it should be
The temperature might be stressing your plant if you see any of these signs.
How To Protect Your Hosta From Temperature Stress
To protect your plant from temperature stress, you can try the following:
- Move the plant to a protected location, such as next to a building
- Cover the plant with a cloth or tarp when cold weather is forecasted
- Bring the plant inside during extreme weather conditions
- Place the plant in a pot so it can be moved easily
7. Water Quality
The quality of the water you use to water your hosta can also affect the plant.
If the water is too hard, it can cause the leaves to turn white.
Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
These minerals can build up in the soil and cause a deficiency in other nutrients.
This can lead to the leaves turning white.
How To Tell If Your Water Is Too Hard
To tell if your water is too hard, look for the following signs:
- The leaves are wilted or drooping
- The leaves are yellow or pale
- The leaves have brown spots
- The plant is not growing as vigorously as it should be
If you see any of these signs, your water might be too hard.
How To Improve The Quality Of Your Water
If you think your water is too hard, you can try the following:
- Collect rainwater to water your plant
- Use distilled water to water your plant
- Filter your water before using it to water your plant
If you are using tap water, you can also try letting it sit for 24 hours before watering your plant.
This will allow the minerals to settle out of the water.
How To Prevent Your Hosta Leaves From Turning White
Now that you know the various reasons why your hosta leaves may be turning white, here are a few tips on how to prevent this from happening:
- If your hosta is planted in too much sun, try moving it to a shadier spot.
- If your hosta is planted in too much shade, try moving it to a sunnier place.
- Water your hosta regularly, making sure not to over or underwater it.
- Add organic matter to the soil around your hosta plants, such as compost or manure.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer during de growing season.
- Inspect your hosta regularly for pests, and treat accordingly if any are found.
- Cut off any white leaves as soon as you notice them, and dispose of them properly.
- Remove any dead or dying leaves from the plant to help prevent the spread of disease.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to cover your hosta if frost or freezing temperatures are expected.
- Repot your hosta every few years to refresh the soil and help the plant stay healthy.
Following these tips can help prevent your hosta leaves from turning white.
Final Thoughts
Growing hostas can be a challenge, but it is well worth the effort when you see the results.
These plants are not only beautiful, but they can also help purify the air in your home.
If you are having trouble with your hosta leaves turning white, try one of the above solutions.
With patience and care, you should be able to get your plant back to its beautiful self in no time.
Related Content
Why Are My Hosta Leaves Turning Yellow? (11 Solutions)
Hosta Leaves Turning Brown? (11 Causes and Solutions)
Why Are My Hosta Leaves Curling? (10 Causes & Solutions)
How Often Should You Water Hosta Plants (A Complete Guide)
How to Grow Hostas from Seed: 10 Steps to Plant Hosta Seeds
How to Fix Hosta Scorch: The Ultimate Guide for Gardeners