Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves.
- Look for slimy trails on the ground.
- Check the plant at night with a flashlight.
Likely causes
Slugs and Snails
Most likelyHow to tell: You see irregular holes in the leaves and slimy trails on the foliage or soil. They are most active at night.
What to do: Handpick them in the evening or early morning. You can also set out shallow dishes of beer to trap them.
Deer
PossibleHow to tell: Large chunks of the leaves are missing or the entire stem is eaten. This usually happens overnight.
What to do: Install a fence or use a deer repellent spray around the perimeter. Deer find hostas very tasty.
Find out what's wrong with your siebold's hosta
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
A few small holes are usually manageable. Worry if the plant is being defoliated or if the crown is being damaged.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around your hostas clear of debris where slugs like to hide. Use copper tape or crushed eggshells as a barrier.
Siebold's Hosta: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your siebold's hosta and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are there organic ways to stop slugs?
- Yes, you can use iron phosphate bait, which is safe for pets and wildlife. Diatomaceous earth around the base also helps.
- Do pests kill the hosta?
- Usually not, but heavy damage weakens the plant over time. Keeping the plant healthy helps it recover from minor pest attacks.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Siebold's Hosta
Back to the Siebold's Hosta guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.