Hostas don't NEED to be divided unless you want to make more to plant elsewhere. Check Hosta FAQ

-Babka

Will that help them be healthier, more attractive, anything?---- Not really. Dividing will make them smaller and less mature.

Does it matter that I don't know if they have been there for 1 yr or 15 yrs?---Some hosta grow slower than others. A hosta that looks like a 1 year old plant may actually be a few years old. Mature hosta usually look quite different than immature ones.

Is there a too young, too old deal when it comes to dividing hostas?---- Well, no. But some hosta don't like to be divided (especially into small pieces) and may actually decline. But most do fine.

And do I do it in fall or spring?---- Depends on your preference. Both are fine. Personally I like to do it in the fall---actually not later than one month prior to your expected frost date. The soil is still warm and that promotes root growth.

agree ....

perhaps if you could post pix.. we could ID them.. and give you info on whether you just have certain slug magnets.. and you might be better off just getting rid of them ...

why would you want to propagate.. divide.. a slug magnet??? .. eh???

ken

hey.. welcome to the forum ... stick around.. and you will be enabled .. lol ... ken

I've found all sorts of conflicting information and one tip said if the hosta is falling flat and the center looks bare it might need to be divided. It's not that I want to make more plants, I just want the ones that are there to be happier so they look better next year.

I would love to send pictures! That would be fantastic! Idk if it is location, type of hosta, if it's old or young. I will send a pic of one that looks god awful but there is a clump to the left that just obviously looks different. It stands up taller and the leaves aren't ripped to shreds. Then one that looks good. Lastly I'll send the mother load, the hostas that surround the well pump and a close up of their flower (the only ones that got flowers)... Let me know what u think, any and all I'm put is appreciated, just don't laugh at me too much!

Chrissy, it looks like you have hosta that are called undulata. I am not sure about the second picture though. Undulata are older hosta and very common. They are thin leaved and can get stressed during the heat of the summer and lack of water. The leaves then tend to go more green. Definitely looks like they need to be thinned out and divided.

Check out this site:
https://www.delvalhosta.org/what-hosta-do-i-have

I think the clump in the first picture will be pretty in the spring, it doesn't need thinning. The hostas around the well pump do look pretty crowded, but what are they hiding? My undulata clump took years to get pretty. If you divide them you may have nothing to hide the equipment.

The spot with us in the second picture are pulmonaria, and will give you a nice shower pink and blue flowers in the spring. The ammonia solution that was mentioned earlier is very effective but do it in the fall as well to get as many slugs and eggs killed before winter.and a year that I forget to do this I am punished by holes in many many of my hostas

Don't want to hijack : but is there a formula for that ammonia solution? Also, cloudy or clear ammonia? How much do you spray on? Thanks.

10% ammonia. Mine is clear.

I ran out of data and went MIA for a couple weeks, totally missed these responses somehow. Thanks guys! To respond to everything at once-

1. Undulata, got it. I've come across that name many times before, good to know! I'll be sure to give them more water when the heat picks up next year. By the time the heat kicked in this summer the slugs already did so much damage I was so frustrated and kinda just gave up on em for the season.... Whoops!

2. The one in the second picture is my absolute fave. I would love to have more of them everywhere. She's so tiny tho, I don't think she would appreciate me dividing her. If anyone could suggest a similar type of hosta I would love that. One where the leaves look deliberately painted, so beautiful!

3. The circle of hostas is surrounding the top of the well pump. That pumpkin is sitting on top of it. They don't actually "hide it" as much as they distract from it make it look a little better. It's right next to the front walkway so it looks harsh and cold without the hostas in winter, much better in summer, and would look even better if the hostas were at their best!

4. They took years to get pretty?!? What do u mean, what makes them get prettier over time?

5. Is it too late to do the ammonia solution now? The plants just came inside for the winter, temps dropped dramatically real quick. Just spray it on the soil, correct? Not the leaves themselves?

6. Do you guys suggest slug pellets?

Sorry for the delayed response! I appreciate the advice more than you know (So does my yard and the people who have to look at it)!!!