We are always asked about how to protect hostas from being eaten by slugs and snails. Garlic wash is a really simple, cheap and safe way to protect your hostas without using harmful pellets. Here is a simple recipe that we use on the nursery.
Store outside in a cool dry place or in the fridge. Can be used throughout the season, make a fresh batch every year.
Hi Guys
Do you, or have you ever added a single drop of washing up liquid as a wetting agent for pot grown Hosta
Thank you in advance
I’ve made my first batch today
Don’t just spray on the Hosta but water it around the plant, the new foliage will come up tasting of garlic which will deter the slugs , it’s best to start in February as they just start to grow.
Hello, would you it be more effective to just put the garlic in the dirt? Im just thinking if it rains u would have to do the wash again but if u have garlic in the dirt u wouldnt have to? Or do u have to replace the garlic bulbs every season? Im gonna do this because my hostas look good right now but in 3 weeks they r gonna start looking horrible! So any easy suggestions would be appreciated, what r the pro and cons of each method? Thanks
My hostas have suffered this year and an evening inspection to remove slugs and snails had little effect. On further inspection I found baby snails down inside each plant stem enjoying my hosta salad.
I’m going to try this thank you
I made this but then had garlic soup. Is there anything else I can use instead?
Will crushed eggshells be goo all around plant
Hi I’ve tried this, spraying regularly and it is helping but still some nibbling on some plants. Are there any varieties that seem to be less attractive to slugs and snails???
Hi I’ve tried this, spraying regularly and it is helping but still some nibbling on some ants. Are there any varieties that seem to be less attractive to slugs and snails???
Thank you for this advice – so excited to try it – is it safe to use on strawberry plants , or will they taste of garlic?
Thank you
Beccy
Thanks for this-am trying hostas for first time this year. How long is the surplus garlic water concentrate effective for if eg kept in the fridge?
Thanks for the garlic tip. It sounds simple and I will definitely try it!
KEVIN ROBBINS
June 20, 2026
Use the ‘garlic soup’ at a higher concentration, and don’t boil the guts out of the garlic; here’s my trick, and it actually works!
Use 2 or 3 netted packs of four whole garlic bulbs, the type of product sold in UK supermarkets. Although these bulbs are usually smaller, small, hard garlic bulbs tend to be stronger scented. Put 2 litres of cold water into a large lidded saucepan, smash open each bulb of garlic, separating the cloves from the shaff (I use the entire, whole garlic bulb, shaff ‘en all!). Chuck the garlic cloves and all the shaff into the saucepan of cold water, add in a level teaspoon of table salt and set to cook on a high heat. Now for the important bit, ’IMMEDIATELY’ the slush reaches boiling point, turn off the heat and let the saucepan, with the lid on, stand until it’s stone cold. This method avoids overcooking and better retains the raw ‘stink’ of garlic! Nearly there… using a stick blender or a smoothie maker, reduce the slush to a nice creamy soup, and then strain off the liquid into a suitable pouring jug. Divide the soup equally between four 2litr plastic bottles (used fresh water bottles are ideal) and top up the bottles with cold water. I spread the waste leftover ‘slush’ amongst my Hosta plants at ground level, where it remains for weeks on end as a harsh, ‘keep off’ warning to our little friends. Begin the first ‘defensive’ treatment by diluting a bottle of soup with an equal amount of cold water. I apply this mix via a standard watering can fitted with a rose nozzle. Making sure to thoroughly drench both over and under the leaves of each plant and right down the stems to ground level. If blessed with large ‘gangs’ of greedy gastropods, you’ll probably need an extra application after heavy rain.
I realise all this effort may seem a bit of a par-lava, but the sheer joy of growing wholesome, healthy Hostas without the eventual onset of the dreaded ‘lace wing’ effect, is a pleasure that cannot be equalled!