No, in fact most devices won't charge at all unless the hub is connected to a USB host.
When a USB device is plugged in it first determines if it's plugging into a USB host or hub, or if it's plugging into a charging device. This is signaled by the state of the data lines on the USB port.
If it's plugged into a charging device, it simply starts charging. Again, the state of the data lines tells it enough about the charger so it knows how much current it can pull - this is how an iPad knows it's plugged into an iPhone/iPod charger and charges more slowly. The data line state is a key that says, "This charger only supports 1A."
If it's plugged into a USB host or hub, then it has to talk to the host device (usually a computer, or a computer through the hub) and request power. The hub or computer might only be able to supply 100mA, or 500mA, or on newer USB ports 1A or 2A. The key point, however, is that the device has to talk to the computer and get permission to use that power.
The hub cannot give permission, it simply passes the request along to the computer.
So if you don't plug the hub into a computer then nothing attached to the hub will be able to receive permission. The hub doesn't match the state of the data lines of a charger you might plug it into, so nothing attached to a hub that's attached to a charger will ever get permission to charge, or will ever think that the hub is a charger.
There are devices which disobey the USB specification and attempt to charge anyway, and they might be able to charge under such an arrangement.
Apple devices, however, will never charge unless attached to a charger that follows Apple's charging spec, or a computer with sufficient current output.
There are a number of multiport chargers available now, though. Google for "usb 4 port charger" and you'll find many inexpensive options that will work with Apple devices, and be more compact than a charger and USB hub anyway.