Perennial

When to Plant Hostas in Louisiana

The king of shade gardens. Hostas come in hundreds of varieties and get more beautiful with each passing year.

The Short Answer

In Louisiana, plant hostas based on your regional frost dates. Northern Louisiana has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible.

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana	8a, 8b	Mar 1 - Mar 15	Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana	9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 20	Dec 1 - Dec 20

Hostas Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Transplant Outside

0 wks after frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Transplant Outside

0 wks after frost

Growing Hostas in Louisiana

Hostas in Louisiana's Climate

Hostas grow in the cooler parts of your zone but struggle in the warmest areas. Mountain regions are excellent. Piedmont and urban areas need deep shade and consistent moisture. Choose thick-leaved, heat-tolerant varieties (Sum and Substance, Guacamole) — thin leaves scorch in warm conditions.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Hostas can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Louisiana's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for hostas — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant divisions or nursery plants in spring or fall. Slugs are the main enemy — use iron phosphate bait. Mulch to retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Plant hostas alongside these companions for better growth:

Ferns Astilbe Heuchera

The Bottom Line

Hostas can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026