hosta

Water Hosta 'El Nino' deeply once per week with 1-2 inches of water, depending on temperature. Avoid splashing water onto leaves to reduce diseases. Water in the morning to help leaves dry quickly. The soil should be moist but well-drained. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. During the summer months, you may need to increase the frequency of waterings to help your plant stay hydrated and thriving.

Hosta 'El Nino' is a shade-tolerant plant species, so it needs only minimal sunlight to thrive. In general, Hosta 'El Nino' benefits from at least 4 hours of direct sun each day, though it may tolerate up to 6 hours. Providing slightly more sun than this can cause the foliage to scorch and the plant to suffer. It is important to note that the amount of light a hosta requires is largely dependent on the variety, so it is best to check the variety of the hosta to ensure sun requirements are adequately met.

Hosta 'El Nino' should be pruned in late fall or early spring when the plant is dormant. Pruning should be limited to removing any dead or damaged foliage, as moderate trimming can reduce plant vigor and diminish flowering. If necessary, only snip individual leaves off the plant, leaving the bottom of the leaves intact. This will protect the crown of the plant and prevent damage or disease. Hostas are generally tolerant of pruning, with more active growing varieties being able to take a bit more trimming than slower growing varieties. In general, however, pruning should not exceed 1-third of the total foliage mass.