Hi, 

A photo can be helpful for us to diagnose the problem. It sounds like it is either stressed from the heat and drought which is typical for this time in the season. Or it could have slug damage or leaf chewing insects nibbling on the leaves. 

You can reference the following links and look at the photos to see if you notice similar symptoms and also feel free to respond with photos. 

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/sunburn-damage-flowers

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/slugs-and-snails-flowers#:~:text=Slug%20damage%20on%20hosta.%20Photo%3A%20University%20of%20Maryland%20Extension

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/foliar-nematodes-flowers#:~:text=Foliar%20nematode%20symptoms%20on%20hosta.

Emily



Dear Anne,

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YOUR QUESTION #0116463:

Hosta brown leaves

Our hosta has brown withering tips and holes. What is wrong and how do we treat

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From: anne stalfort <<personal data hidden>>
Date: August 27, 2023 at 2:04:40 PM EDT
To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Fwd: Hosta #0116463

Attached are pictures of our host a leaves. Please advise what you think is causing the leaf damage

Thanks, Anne Stalfort

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: JOHN STALFORT <<personal data hidden>>
Date: August 27, 2023 at 10:21:44 AM EDT
To: Anne Stalfort <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Hosta

















Sent from my iPhone

From: anne stalfort <<personal data hidden>>
Date: August 27, 2023 at 2:04:40 PM EDT
To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Fwd: Hosta #0116463

Attached are pictures of our host a leaves. Please advise what you think is causing the leaf damage

Thanks, Anne Stalfort

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: JOHN STALFORT <<personal data hidden>>
Date: August 27, 2023 at 10:21:44 AM EDT
To: Anne Stalfort <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Hosta

















Sent from my iPhone

Hi, 

It looks like the holes are due to slugs or leaf chewing insects and not to be overly concerned about. It is fairly common for that to happen on hosta leaves. Some years may be worse than others. 

The browning could be leaf scorch from drought, heat, sunscald etc. or could also be anthracnose which is common on hosta leaves. It does not appear to be foliar nematodes. 

You can just pick off those browning leaves and may get some more foliage growing before the end of the season. To help prevent any anthracnose from happening next year, which can be difficult since the weather conditions really play into affect with it, in the fall when the leaves dry up and die, just remove any leftover foliage and clean up the are. It will help prevent the the spores from overwintering in the soil. Not 100% fool proof but it could reduce symptoms. 

Let us know if you have further questions. 

Emily



you're welcome!