I have no experience growing hostas in pots, but I do grow annuals in pots and for those I gather pine needles and pine cones from around the yard and partially fill the pots. It saves me having to use too much potting soil and cuts down on the weight of the pots. I have used styrofoam in the past, but getting rid of that stuff at the end of the season was a pain.

There is a product called Ups-a-Daisy which is an orange plastic disk. They come in different sizes and have drainiage holes. They are meant to insert in large pots to have them take up less soil and thus be lighter.

https://ups-a-daisy.com/

Thanks, Esther. The site says they sell them at Lowe's and I have two of those nearby.

bkay

Thanks,

chouchou_gw, I live in the part of Texas that doesn't have pine trees - our soil is too alkaline.

bk

I have used empty milk jugs.

Thanks, kitasei2. My first thought was, "I don't drink milk". Then it dawned on me that a gallon water bottle is the same thing.

DUH...

bk