Hostas are known to live for a very long time. By definition, herbaceous perennials are plants that live more than two years. However, some like hostas and peonies live for decades in the same location.

On some hostas, the center of the clump may eventually give out and die. The center, of course, is the oldest part of the plant since divisions have been added on the perimeter of the clump as it grows and ages. Old plant tissue just like old animals will eventually die.

The good news is that this is easily remedied. You can just dig up the clump, divide the living parts into smaller units and replant them. This rejuvenation will then produce new clumps and young, actively growing plants.

Some people have suggested that all you need to do is dig out the dead center of the plant and then scar the surrounding live tissue by cutting with the shovel. This will encourage new buds that may spread to fill in the hole. You might need to add a little soil to the center after you have cut out the dead.

If the plant shows signs of Southern blight which has rotted the center of the plant, you will want to move the live parts to a new, uninfected soil after soaking them in a mild solution of bleach (10-20%) before replanting.