But disappointingly, I’ve noticed that my hydrangeas produce much smaller blooms instead of enormous flowers.

Hydrangeas can grow small flowers for several reasons related to their care. They require the correct amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients in the soil, or they will fail to produce large flowers.

Hydrangea blooms are a boon to any garden or home—but it takes some care and attention to produce bountiful blossoms. In this article, I’ll explore why hydrangeas might have small flowers and how to encourage them to grow healthier, bigger blooms.

Causes of Stunted Hydrangea Flowers

Some hydrangea varieties tend to produce smaller flowers than others—which is something to bear in mind before you try to tweak your hydrangea’s care.

If you’re looking to plant hydrangeas in your garden that will produce massive flowers, you should opt for varieties such as bigleaf hydrangeas and smooth hydrangea, the latter of which have flower heads 12 inches (30.48cm) in size.

If you have a hydrangea variety that’s supposed to produce large flowers, but they’re small, some of the most common reasons why this is happening include the following ones I’ve outlined.

Your Hydrangea Isn’t Getting Enough Nitrogen

Nitrogen, a common ingredient in popular types of plant fertilizer, encourages plants to boost their foliage and flower growth. Common signs that your plant isn’t getting enough of this essential nutrient include:

• Fewer leaves.
• Fewer flowers.
• Undersized plant growth.

However, if you’re giving your plants too much of this essential nutrient, it can cause the plants to struggle. While your hydrangea might experience growth, it won’t bloom. The lack of nitrogen can also cause your hydrangea flowers to dry out and turn brown faster.

Give your hydrangeas a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer, giving your plants all the nutrients they need. Apply the fertilizer during the summer, and not more than once or twice.

However, to increase the size of your hydrangea blooms, you should consider using a fertilizer with more phosphorus, as The Spruce reports. When you purchase your fertilizer, ensure it has a higher phosphorus content or a fertilizer with a “blossom boost” label, which means it contains more phosphorus.

I’d recommend purchasing JR Peters Classic Blossom Booster Fertilizer (available on Amazon.com). It encourages plants to produce more flowers that also display brighter colors. You can use it on indoor and outdoor plants, which makes it versatile.

Your Hydrangea Isn’t Getting Enough Water

Hydrangeas are thirsty plants. They require that you water them thoroughly at least three times per week. Give them one inch (2.54cm) of water each time. To ensure your plant gets enough water, ensure you water it copiously around its soil to encourage more root growth.

If your hydrangea is in a pot, check that water comes out the bottom, indicating it’s received enough water.

Although hydrangeas want moist soil, it needs to be well-draining so that their roots don’t become waterlogged—this can put the hydrangeas at risk of root rot.

If your hydrangea flowers aren’t growing large, check the plant for signs of underwatering, which include:

• Wilting, especially during the hottest time of day.
• Stunted growth.

An excellent tip to follow when watering your hydrangeas on hot days is to do so during the morning so that the plants will get enough moisture to prevent them from wilting during blazing hot afternoons.

Your Hydrangea Soil Requires Organic Matter

You should add organic matter to your hydrangea’s soil, as this will encourage its healthy growth, as Chicago Botanic Garden reports.

Practical examples of organic matter include compost or well-composted manure. Adding organic matter to your soil encourages better drainage while also boosting the soil’s microorganisms that aerate and enrich the soil, as SFGate reports. When hydrangeas are in soil that drains well, this encourages their roots to grow.

You should add approximately two inches (5.08cm) of organic matter to your soil. Mix it into the soil during the spring. Then, add organic matter to the soil again during the winter. A two-inch (5.08cm) layer is ideal as it will prevent soil compaction and erosion while enhancing the soil’s beneficial microorganisms.

If your soil drains too quickly, however, you can amend it by adding peat moss or garden mulch to it, as Oregon State University reports.

To test how quickly your soil drains the water, do this test:

1. Dig a hole that’s 12 inches (30.48cm) deep and wide.
2. Fill the hole with water.

If you see that the water drains too quickly, the soil is fast-draining. By comparison, if the water sits in the hole for a long time, it could do with improved drainage. You want to see the water drains within two or three hours, indicating the soil has good drainage.

Your Hydrangea Isn’t Getting Enough Sun

If you’ve planted your hydrangea in a shaded area of the garden, this can prevent it from flowering. However, before you move it to a sunnier spot, ensure you check what variety you have, as different ones have different light requirements.

Some hydrangeas like some shade while others thrive in direct sun. For example, if you own panicle hydrangea (hydrangea paniculata), it requires full-sun conditions. It’s ideal for growing if you live in a U.S. city with a lot of sunlight, such as Yuma in Arizona, which experiences approximately 320 sunny days per year.

Most hydrangea varieties will perform well in partial shade. Generally, you should provide your hydrangeas with morning sun and some afternoon shade so they don’t get too hot.

When finding partial-shade conditions for your hydrangeas, avoid planting them underneath trees. This position can cause them to compete for nutrients and water, while winds can ruin their flowers.

You Haven’t Deadheaded the Hydrangea Flowers

Deadheading means removing the spent flowers from a plant. It is best to perform this process throughout the plant’s flowering cycle so that it will look good and experience new flower growth. If you don’t, your hydrangea might not produce a lot of flowers, or it might display smaller blooms.

Here’s how to deadhead hydrangea flowers.

1. Deadhead your plants when you see flowers have started to dry out and become brown.
2. With pruners, cut the stem below the flower head. Make sure you cut above the first set of leaves. I’d recommend The Gardener’s Friend Pruners, available from Amazon. They’re ideal for making small-sized, quick cuts. They’re easy to open and close;—all you have to do is flip the latch. They also have a good grip that makes them easy to hold.

Note that you shouldn’t deadhead hydrangeas before winter. This timing is essential because buds formed on the plant underneath the spent flowers will grow the following spring. Leaving the buds intact will also protect them against the harsh winter elements.

You’ve Pruned Your Hydrangea Too Much

Although deadheading your hydrangea is suitable for the plant and encourages flower growth, you shouldn’t prune your hydrangea annually. Unlike other flowering plants, you don’t need to prune most hydrangea varieties yearly if their buds grow on old wood instead of new.

If you’re pruning your hydrangea, only remove spent flowers and any dead growth on the plant. Pruning more than this can cause the plant to grow beautiful leaves, but it will reduce its flower growth.

You Didn’t Protect Your Hydrangea During Winter

Exposing your hydrangeas to extreme winter temperatures like in states like Maine can negatively impact their ability to bloom and grow healthy, large flowers.

Frost can also damage your hydrangea flowers because it kills flower buds. To protect them, cover the hydrangea with cloth or burlap, but don’t wrap it in plastic, as this can damage its blooms.

Ensure the cloth is big enough to cover the sides of the plant and leave an extra six to 12 inches (15.24-30.48cm) extending on the ground, as SFGate reports. You can keep the cloth securely in place with rocks.

You should always cover your hydrangeas when there are cold snaps in your region or throughout the winter if you experience icy winters, and remove them until after the last frost has occurred. 

If you have a potted hydrangea that you keep outside, your plant will be less hardy and tolerant of cold conditions than in-ground plants, so you need to give it extra care. A good tip is erecting wire screens around the pot and filling the space with shredded leaves to provide insulation during cold nights.

Final Thoughts

If you’re growing hydrangeas, you’ll want to take special care of them so that they grow healthy and produce large, beautiful blooms. You can do this by:

• Giving your hydrangeas morning sun and shade in the hot afternoons.
• Feeding your hydrangeas enough nitrogen.
• Water your hydrangeas with one inch (2.54cm) of water three times per week.
• Deadheading spent hydrangea flowers so new ones can grow.

You may also like:

• Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas?
• Why Are There Flies on My Hydrangea?
• What Is Eating My Hydrangea Leaves?
• Should I Cut Off Brown Hydrangea Blooms?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Why Does My Hydrangea Have Small Flowers? [Causes & What to Do] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Flies could be swarming your hydrangeas because these flowering plants release an appealing scent that flies like. You shouldn’t ignore this, especially if you’re dealing with a fly infestation, because the flies can damage the hydrangea flowers and leaves.

In this article, I’ll explore what you need to know about the two main reasons why flies attack hydrangeas and how you can eliminate these flying pests with some easy methods – without harming your beautiful hydrangeas.

Why Flies Are Attracted to Hydrangeas

The main reason flies can be found flying around your hydrangeas is that they can smell their nectar.

When hydrangeas have started their blooming cycle, you’ll likely find swarms of flies around them because the flowers produce sweet nectar. Even though you might assume that bees will be more drawn to the nectar than other flying insects, nectar is appealing to a variety of insects.

Other reasons why hydrangeas attract flies include the following

• The hydrangea flowers themselves have a pleasant scent. Hydrangeas don’t need to have a strong scent to attract insects. Even those that only release a subtle floral scent can attract flies.
• The hydrangea plant is displaying dying flowers. Some insects, such as house flies, seek organic material. If there are dying or spent blooms on the hydrangea, these will be appealing to flies. Over time, this will cause the flowers to die, since the flies consume the nutrients meant for the flowers instead.

How To Remove Flies From Your Hydrangeas

If you regularly see flies around your hydrangeas, you’ll want to know how to eliminate them without harming your flowers. While you can use insecticides to keep flies at bay, these can damage your plants, so they’re not recommended.

Instead, try some of these effective natural methods:

Repel Flies With Mint

Mint is a popular herb that’s known for its strong scent, which repels insects such as flies. To make use of it, you can either plant mint near your hydrangeas or hang some leaves next to them.

Here’s how to make use of the mint leaves.

1. Crush a few mint leaves so that you have about one teaspoon of leaves.
2. Put these crushed leaves in a small pouch. Ideally, the pouch should be made of gauze to better release the smell of the mint.
3. Hang the pouch next to your hydrangea bush.

Spray Your Hydrangeas With Neem Oil

Neem oil is a popular natural ingredient that eliminates pests from the garden. To use it, simply fill a spray bottle with it and mist your hydrangeas. It kills flies when they ingest the oil, but be careful as it will also kill other insects that you might not want to eliminate, such as ladybugs that eat whiteflies.

If you don’t have neem oil, you can purchase a solution that contains this organic pesticide. I’d recommend Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil Ready-To-Use 3 in 1 Insecticide, Fungicide, and Miticide, available on Amazon.

It kills adult insects as well as their eggs and larvae. It’s also quite versatile as you can use it to prevent fungal diseases in plant tissues.

Place Sticky Traps Around the Hydrangeas

Putting sticky traps around your plants can help you eliminate flies and other insects without applying any kind of solution to the hydrangeas.

I’d recommend Stingmon Sticky Traps, available from Amazon. These traps for flies and other flying insects can be used on indoor and outdoor plants. They come with a paper stake attached so that you can place them in the ground next to your hydrangeas.

Spray Hydrangeas With a Strong Stream of Water

If you’ve ever heard that you can dislodge aphids from leaves by directing a powerful stream of water onto them, you can also do this to remove whiteflies effectively. These bugs tend to hide underneath the plant leaves. They look like small moths but can quickly infest your plants.

Whiteflies can be damaging to plants because they suck sap from them, and this destroys the plants’ leaves. While these are widespread throughout the U.S., they’re particularly common in the South, such as in Alabama and Maryland.

Spray the Hydrangeas With Soapy Water

A dish soap and water solution that gets sprayed onto the hydrangea plants can also work well to remove flies, especially if you don’t have neem oil.

Soap works well to kill insects because it washes off their body’s protective coating, which dries them out. This solution makes Small and soft-bodied insects easier to kill, so it’s effective on flies.

When using soapy water to remove flies, remember to spray them while they’re on the plant. However, be careful of using too much soap, as it can scorch the plant leaves, especially if the temperature is high or the plant is stressed.

Choose Plants That Attract Pollinators

Some plants attract more pollinators and other insects, such as flies, than others. It’s useful to plant these close to your hydrangeas so that they will draw these pests away from the hydrangeas. Since the flies are attracted to honey, they will be found in areas where bees are busy pollinating flowers.

Plants that attract bees, and therefore fly, include:

• Blue lily
• Sunflower
• Marigold
• Lavender

Apply Epsom Salts to Your Hydrangeas

Epsom salt, which is made from hydrated magnesium sulfate, is an easy way to repel flies from your hydrangeas over time. All you have to do is sprinkle it around your plants. It also helps to keep other pests at bay.

In addition to its pest-repellent properties, Epsom salt has other benefits for hydrangeas:

• It adds more magnesium to the soil. This encourages your hydrangeas to draw more nutrients from the soil so that they can grow stronger stems.
• It produces greener leaves. Since it contains magnesium, Epsom salt helps to produce chlorophyll in the plant, which is responsible for its green leaves.

Spray the Plants With a Garlic Spray

Garlic contains a sulfur compound that a variety of insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects, find unpleasant. The great thing about using garlic on your plants is that it won’t harm them.

You can safely use garlic as a pesticide because it quickly degrades in the environment and it’s non-toxic.

Here’s how to make your own DIY garlic spray.

1. Peel five garlic bulbs.
2. Crush the bulbs with the flat side of a knife.
3. Mix the bulbs with 16 oz (2 cups) of water.
4. Allow the garlic and water to settle overnight.
5. Add some dish soap to the mixture.
6. Strain the liquid through a stranger.
7. Add the liquid to 128 oz (16 cups) of water.
8. Put it in a spray bottle.
9. Liberally spray this over your plants once or twice a week.

Spray Essential Oils on Your Hydrangeas

The scent of cloves effectively repels pests such as flies. The essential oil from clove buds also repels mosquitos, so it’s great for keeping pests away from your garden during the summer.

However, to make clove essential oil really effective, you’ll need it to be a 25-percent concentration.

If you want to remove house flies from your plants, a study by the Journal of Vector Ecology found that cinnamon and vetiver oils were especially toxic to them, whether the flies made contact with them, consumed them, or were fumigated with them. You can mix the oils with sunflower oil as a carrier if you want an effective, cost-friendly solution.

Note that if you don’t want to spray the diluted essential oils onto your hydrangeas, you can dip a cloth in the essential oils and hang it within close proximity to your flowering plants. You must reapply the oils to the cloth every few days so that the scent remains strong.

Remove Spent Flowers on the Plant

Earlier, we mentioned that house flies are attracted to organic matter on the plant, such as spent blooms or dying flowers. Therefore, remove any dying or dead flowers from your hydrangea bush.

While you’re at it, remove any other natural debris, such as decaying plants, from around the plant.

Final Thoughts

If you notice lots of flies swarming around your hydrangeas, you’ll naturally want to eliminate them. This isn’t just because they’re a nuisance but also because they can damage your plants. If you’ve got flies hovering around, you can try a few things. Some of the most effective methods include:

• Spraying your plants with neem oil, a natural pesticide.
• Setting up sticky fly traps around your plants.
• Spraying your plants with soapy water.
• Using essential oils to ward off flies.

You may also like:

• Why Does My Hydrangea Have Small Flowers?
• Why Are My Hydrangeas Wilting?
• What Is Eating My Hydrangea Leaves?
• Should I Cut Off Brown Hydrangea Blooms?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Why Are There Flies on My Hydrangea? [How to Remove] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Hydrangeas will wilt when the environment is not ideally suited to their needs, such as when the temperature is too hot. In this case, they will usually recover by the evening. Other reasons they will wilt include receiving incorrect sunlight or water and over-fertilization.

This article will explore the leading causes of wilting in hydrangeas. I will also discuss the methods for reviving a wilted hydrangea and the steps you can take to prevent wilting before it starts.

Why Does My Hydrangea Look Wilted?

There are many different reasons why your hydrangeas might look wilted. While this plant is not known for suffering from many diseases or pests, it is sensitive to environmental stimuli. Whether it’s the temperature, the amount of water you are providing, the sunlight exposure it’s receiving, or the amount of fertilizer being applied, if something is not beneficial to your hydrangea, you’ll likely see wilting or drooping. 

Your Hydrangeas Are Getting Too Much Heat or Sunlight

In the heat of the summer, it is not uncommon for hydrangeas to wilt in the daytime. Typically, the plants have perked back up when the evening hours come around. So, don’t be surprised if you know your plants have had enough water and they flop over during the day. It’s completely natural.

In the northern United States, hydrangeas can be planted in areas of full sun because of the number of overcast days. They will not be overly affected by too many hours in direct sunlight. This is not the case in the southern states, such as Georgia.

You must avoid planting in exposed sites that will become excessively hot. Otherwise, they will suffer heat shock and wilt, which is not something the plants will just bounce back from in the evening.

Your Hydrangeas Are Not Receiving Enough Sunlight

Most hydrangeas prefer to grow in partly shady locations; however, they still require a minimum of at least five hours of sunlight a day. They grow better and produce more abundant flowers with warm morning sun and cool afternoon shade.

The exception to this rule is the panicle hydrangea which prefers even more sunlight. When your hydrangeas do not receive enough sunlight, they will begin to wilt.

Your Hydrangeas Are Getting Too Much or Not Enough Water

The hydrangea is a thirsty plant and requires regular watering. It prefers moist soil to grow well, so you cannot let it completely dry between waterings. An irregular watering schedule can also wreak havoc on your plant.

Most species of hydrangeas require at least one inch (2.54 cm) of water per week from a combination of manual watering and rainfall.

At the same time, too much water can harm your plant’s well-being. If the soil cannot correctly drain because it is overly irrigated, it can lead to problems, such as root rot, which will also cause your hydrangea to wilt.

It is essential to check the soil’s moisture content when you notice midday wilting during the hottest months. You do not want to mistakenly assume that your plant is suffering from dehydration when it wilts when it actually has enough water.

Many plant owners make this simple error because they do not verify that the soil is dry before giving the hydrangeas more water.

Your Hydrangeas Have Been Over-Fertilized

If you have applied too much fertilizer to your hydrangeas, you could have caused excessive growth. This leads to the spindly growth of stems and the massive development of flower heads. The flower heads are so large that the stems cannot support the weight, and they droop over.

With the significant causes of wilting explained, it’s time to dive into the methods of reviving your hydrangeas.

How Do You Revive Wilted Hydrangeas? (PAA)

Wilted hydrangeas can be revived by reestablishing the ideal environment. You can do this by applying mulch to prevent the soil from drying out, transplanting the hydrangeas to a more ideal location, replacing the potting soil, and deep soaking the root system while wrapping the plant in plastic.

Apply an Even Layer of Mulch

If your soil is drying out quickly, applying two inches (5.0 cm) of mulch around the base of your hydrangeas will help hold the moisture in longer. It’s also a means of preventing the sunlight from shining directly on the soil and speeding up evaporation.

Keeping the moisture in longer, it is less likely that your hydrangeas will want water, decreasing the likelihood that they will wilt.

Transplant Your Hydrangeas to a More Optimal Location

If your hydrangeas are not getting the correct amount of sun, whether it’s too much or not enough, you can always transplant them to a more optimal location. Remember, most hydrangeas prefer warm morning sun and cool afternoon shade.

Avoid open areas that will receive hot, burning sunlight all day, severely damaging your plants. The best time for transplantation is in the spring or fall to avoid complications from the summer heat.

Replace the Potting Soil for Your Potted Hydrangea

If you were growing your hydrangea in a pot and discovered the soil type is wrong, it’s straightforward to change it. Find soil that is well-draining but still moist. You want to ensure it will hold enough moisture to satisfy your hydrangea without staying so soggy that it causes other problems. Loam is a good choice.

Deep Soak the Roots of a Hydrangea That Has Gone Through Drought Shock

As I previously mentioned, if your hydrangea has gone too long without water, it can cause it to go into a drought shock in which it collapses or wilts heavily. To combat this problem, you must thoroughly soak the roots to bring life back into the plant.

Be cautious that you do not create a soggy situation where your plant sits in standing water when you are done.

Additionally, to help move the process, you can place a tomato cage around the hydrangea and cover it with an opaque-to-transparent plastic bag. Spritz the inside of the bag with water. Leave the bag in place for approximately ten days to allow the wilted plant to return to its full self.

On the other hand, if you have overwatered your hydrangeas, stop watering them until the soil has time to dry out. You may have to examine the roots for root rot and remove any damage to ensure the plant survives.

Now that you know how to revive your hydrangea if it starts to wilt, let’s find out how to prevent the wilting before it starts.

How To Prevent Hydrangeas From Wilting

While it’s great to know that you can revive a wilted hydrangea, learning how to prevent wilting is also essential. From your hardiness location in the United States to fertilizing at the right time, there are several considerations you can make to help ensure your hydrangeas do not wilt.

Plant the Ideal Cultivar for Your Region

While most hydrangea types are hardy throughout the United States, some do better than others in each zone. For example, in Florida, you will get better results from bigleaf, oakleaf, and panicle hydrangeas than from smooth hydrangeas. In this case, you need heat-hardy plants that can stand up to the climate in the state.

To ensure the best results for growing hydrangeas, it’s a good idea to research which ones thrive in your hardiness zone. You want to ensure that you pick one ideal for your climate, or else you may battle wilting the entire time you have the plant.

Plant During the Correct Season

Ensure you only plant during the appropriate seasons to prevent shock and heat stress to your hydrangeas. Ideally, you will plant in the fall, allowing your plant to prepare for the next growing season.

The second best time to plant is in the spring. Planting during the summer is less than ideal because you will expose the roots to the summer heat.

Don’t Fertilize Too Early

If you fertilize your hydrangeas too early, you risk developing too large flower heads that your plants’ stems cannot support. The best practice is to let the stems grow enough to support larger flowers before providing a full amount of fertilizer regularly.

When you fertilize, choose a well-balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10. When your plants are physically able to support larger blooms, you can increase the phosphorus and choose a 10-20-10.

Conclusion

While hydrangeas can add beautiful color to your garden, they can be finicky residents, wilting at the first sign of discomfort. It is crucial to maintain an adequate water supply while giving them the correct sun exposure.

When you have wilting problems, they are generally easy to correct through mulching, checking your watering routine, and creating a makeshift greenhouse. An even easier method is preventing wilting before it starts.

You may also like:

• Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas?
• How Often To Water Newly Planted Hydrangeas
• Can You Plant Hydrangeas Outside?
• Are Coffee Grounds Good for Hydrangeas?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Why Are My Hydrangeas Wilting? [Causes & How Do You Revive] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Pests like slugs, rose chafers, caterpillars, spider mites, aphids, beetles, etc., eat Hydrangea leaves. The bites leave different marks on the leaves, which helps you identify the culprit bug and determine the most effective way to control it.

The pests may not kill your plant, but they can ruin the look of the leaves. Therefore, it is important to stop the infestation. This article lists the pests that eat the leaves and ways to stop them.

Types of Pests That Eat Hydrangea Leaves

As mentioned, many types of pests like to eat Hydrangea leaves. They usually become adults during the blooming season and leave after doing the damage as fall sets in.

Let’s talk a bit more about these pests and how to eliminate them.

Rose Chafers

These are a type of beetle. As the name suggests, rose chafers mainly attack roses, but they also like to eat Hydrangeas.

These pests eat both the bloom and the leaves. They create holes of different sizes in leaves, causing a condition known as leaf skeletonization. These small insects may not kill the plant, but they can ruin the beauty of the foliage entirely. 

Rose chafers are more minor than Japanese beetles, with long orange legs and tan or green bodies. They grow in dry sandy topsoil that receives sunlight and are most common in Minnesota, where they invade gardens in summer.

How To Control Rose Chafers Infestation

You may not be able to get rid of rose chafers entirely if the adults have already attacked the plant. However, you can do something to reduce their numbers.

Here are several ways to control the infestation:

• Pick them out with your hands and dump them in soapy water to kill them. This can be time-consuming, but it’s worth a try. The best time to pick them up is in the morning when they are relatively lazy.
• Use small handy vacuum cleaners that can suck the pests.
• Grow clover in your garden or lawn; it keeps Rose Chafers away.
• Place an insect net over your Hydrangea shrubs if the pests have already invaded the garden.
• Use topsoil without sand.
• Since Rose Chafers like sunny surroundings, you can plant trees and shrubs to give the soil some more shade.

Slugs

Slugs become a problem during wet and cool conditions. They like moisture in the soil and vegetation-rich gardens. These pests feed on young Hydrangea leaves when they can’t find any decaying substances.

Slugs leave a trail of mucous on the leaves. So if you see the shiny trail, you can pin the problem on these soft-bodied mollusks.

You can also catch slugs red-handed if you check your plants’ leaves at night because they are nocturnal feeders. They usually start eating the leaves at their edges and work their way inwards.

How To Get Rid of Slugs

Getting rid of slugs may not be as difficult as some other pests. Just like Rose Chafers, you can pick slugs with your hands at night; that’s when they’re most active.

If you don’t have the time for handpicking the slugs, there are other ways to deal with them.

Slugs have very soft bodies that can take damage quickly, so you can control them by building a wall or barrier around your pot or garden area. You can use broken egg and oyster shells, sawdust, gravel, or anything prickly for the barrier.

You can also spray your plants with soapy water to keep the slugs away. Getting rid of mulch can also help, but this might not be an option in some gardens. Mulch and plant debris attract slugs, especially during the rainy season. So if you can get rid of it without affecting your garden’s health, it’s worth a shot.

Last but not least, you can set up traps to trap slugs. You can purchase a beer trap or make one at home.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are arachnids that feed on saps and lay eggs on the leave’s underside. Their trademark is the web they wrap around the damaged area, causing the leaf to decay, turn brown and wither.

Spider mites infestations usually happen anytime between July and September. That’s not by coincidence. These pests thrive in warm and dry environments, and most parts of the US have these conditions between July and September.

How To Control Spider Mites

Here are a few effective ways to control Spider Mites:

• Bring some ladybugs or similar predators that feed on spider mites into your garden. The best thing is that these predators won’t harm your Hydrangeas.
• Spray the Hydrangea with a mixture of insecticidal soap and water. You can spray the leaves at least once weekly until the infestation goes away.
• Take away their dry and warm conditions by spraying water on the leaves.
• Use pyrethroid pesticides. They are a safer option than synthetic pesticides.

Caterpillars – Hydrangea Leaf-Tiers

Hydrangea Leaf-tiers are tiny brown caterpillars that eat the leaves. As a defense mechanism, the caterpillars tie or glue the leaves together, giving themselves shelter against predators.

This type of caterpillar infestation turns the leaves brown, destroying their beauty. However, Hydrangea leaf-tiers do not kill the host plant.

These caterpillars take ten days to become Chrysalis and then morph into adult moths after another seven days if you don’t get rid of them. They are common in Ohio, so you might want to be on the lookout if you reside in that state.

How To Get Rid of Caterpillars

It is important to control Hydrangea Leaf-tiers as soon as you notice tied-up leaves because the moths they spawn from lay eggs in the fall season. The eggs then hatch and invade your garden again during the blooming season.

If the attack is mild, you can handpick the caterpillar by opening up the tied leaves. However, you may have to do more if the infestation is heavy. 

Let’s see some steps you can take to get rid of the caterpillar:

• Spray the Hydrangea leaves on both sides with a solution of water and Bacillus thuringiensis. This solution is most effective right after the eggs hatch.
• Cut down your plants at the start of Spring. The moth that spawns hydrangea Leaf-tier lays eggs in late fall on the stem of the plant. As such, you can proactively control infestations by cutting down your plants so that only about four inches of stem sit above the ground. Just ensure that you cut as soon as Spring starts, so they don’t get a chance to lay eggs.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny bugs that you may find in different colors – yellow, green, or brown. These pests have “mouths” that suck the juices from the leaves, causing them to curl, dry, and turn yellow.

Aphids attack younger plants when they are tender enough for the bugs to penetrate. The pests are good at hiding from the sun, so you may find them on leaves that do not receive too much light.

Aphids have an interesting defense mechanism. Their waste has a high sugar content that attracts ants. Though they do not damage the leaves, the ants protect the pests from many predators.

How To Control an Aphids Infestation

Here are some methods you can use to prevent an Aphids infestation:

• Use soil that drains well, but don’t let it dry too much.
• Spray the Hydrangea leaves with insecticidal soap and water solution.
• Spray the leaves with water.
• Brush the aphids away with your hands if you have a light infestation.

Four-Lined Plant Bug

Four-lined Plant Bugs are tiny white pests that like to feed on Hydrangea leaves. Even though these pests do not cause extensive damage to the plant, they ruin the foliage look. Four-lined bugs leave little brown pockmarks or holes on the leaves.

The good news is that the fully grown bugs do not feed on leaves for more than a month and leave without significant damage. However, they leave their eggs behind, which hatch at the beginning of Spring.

How To Get Rid of Four-Lined Bugs

Removing four-lined bugs is not tricky, so you do not have to worry too much. Here are a handful of things you can do to control these pests:

• Spray with soap water; it kills these pests.
• Spray the Hydrangea leaves with insecticides.
• Bring in some natural four-lined bug predators.
• Prune the damaged leaves, allowing newer ones to grow.
• Spray the Hydrangea plant with the Monterey LG 6299 Horticultural Oil (available on Amazon.com). It’s very simple to use and effective against a wide range of insects.

Scale

Scales are white pests with brown heads that grow on the underside of the hydrangea leaves. They suck the plant’s sap and deprive it of its vigor. You can see the pests with your naked eyes at the beginning of Summers.

Scales do not necessarily eat the leaves. However, they cause leaves to fall off the plant, affecting the foliage.

How To Control Scale Infestation

You must eliminate scale infestation if you want healthy-looking happy Hydrangea plants in your garden. Here’s how you can control them:

• Spray the plant with pesticides in July when Scales are relatively weak.
• Remove the plants with a heavy infestation and replace them with new ones.
• Spray Hydrangea leaves with water at least once a week.
• Introduce ladybirds and similar-scale predators to your garden.

Conclusion

Hydrangea pests attack the leaves of the plants during the blooming season. Even though most of them do not cause fatal damage to the plant, they can ruin their beauty and vigor. Hopefully, reading this post has given you an idea of what’s eating your hydrangea plants and what you can do to remedy the situation.

You may also like:

• Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas?
• Should I Cut Off Brown Hydrangea Blooms?
• Hydrangea Not Growing

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post What Is Eating My Hydrangea Leaves? appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

You should deadhead your hydrangeas if you want them to have a clean appearance and healthier blooms. Deadheading isn’t necessary but preferred. Without this practice, vital plant nutrients will go to dead flowers, and your hydrangea’s health will dip.

In this article, I will explain how hydrangeas benefit from deadheading. You’ll also find the best time to deadhead hydrangeas in your US state and be armed with the steps you need to do this easy gardening task.

Is It Necessary To Deadhead Hydrangeas?

Deadheading hydrangeas aren’t necessary. If your hydrangeas have dead flowers, you can decide whether you want to do this or not. You won’t damage your hydrangeas if you cut their heads off. Likewise, not deadheading your hydrangeas won’t have a negative effect on them.

However, doing it will benefit your plants! If you follow the correct steps and deadhead your hydrangeas at the right time, they’ll be and look healthy.

The Best Time To Deadhead Hydrangeas in Different Regions

You can deadhead your hydrangeas any time of the year, but some seasons deliver better results. Preferably, it would help if you stopped when the last flowers bloom before winter comes.

Hydrangeas thrive in hardiness zone 3 to 9 states. The states with the best season lengths for deadheading hydrangeas are:

• Wisconsin.
• Minnesota.
• Nebraska.
• Arizona.
• Virginia.
• New Mexico.
• Utah, California.
• Colorado.
• Texas.
• Alabama.

Deadheading Hydrangeas in Zone 3

The smooth and panicle hydrangea variants are hardy to the cold weather and frost typically experienced in hardiness zone 3.

These regions offer a short growing period before the long-lasting frost in winter. Deadheading your hydrangeas between the first and last frost dates is best.

The first frost date is in the middle of September, and the last is in the middle of May. The months left for deadheading your hydrangeas stretch from the end of May to the beginning of September.

Deadheading hydrangeas in Zone 3 is a tricky business. The temperatures get extremely low, and frost delays new flowers. Remember this when you consider deadheading your hydrangeas.

Zone 3 states include:

• Alaska.
• Maine.
• New Hampshire.
• North Dakota.
• Wisconsin.
• Idaho.

Deadheading Hydrangeas in Zone 4

One of the hydrangeas that thrive in Zone 4 is the climbing variant. The temperatures in this zone don’t go as low as those in zone 3, but the winters are still freezing.

The growing period is also a little longer, allowing climbing hydrangeas to root before the first frost properly. The first frost date in Zone 4 is around the 15th of September.

This can be delayed, making the last possible date for the first frost at the beginning of October. The last frost could come knocking from the 15th of May to the 1st of June.

You should always leave your flowers intact on the first few frost days. If you deadhead your hydrangeas right before the winter, their stems will be exposed to cold temperatures. Only deadhead your plants from the beginning of June to the beginning of September.

Zone 4 states include:

• Arizona.
• Iowa.
• Minnesota.
• Nebraska.
• New Mexico.
• Oregon.

Deadheading Hydrangeas in Zone 5

Two hydrangea variants that grow well in Zone 5 are the oakleaf and mountain species. All others that are hardy to zone 3 and 4 can also be grown in these regions.

Zone 5 has a longer growing season than zones 1 to 4, and 32 US states fall in this region. The first frost date occurs around the 15th of October, while the last frost falls on the 15h of May.

You should deadhead your hydrangeas between October and May.

Zone 5 states include:

• Kansas.
• Massachusetts.
• North Carolina.
• Pennsylvania.
• Washington.

Deadheading Hydrangeas in Zones 6 to 9

Zone 6 to 9 are ideal for any hydrangea species. They’re all hardy to the extreme temperatures in these regions.

You can deadhead your hydrangeas anytime between April and October if you’re in zone 6 or 7. By this time, the winter has passed, and there’ll be no frost in sight.

If you’re in zone 8, you can expect the first frost around the middle of October. The last frost will be at the end of March. You should deadhead your hydrangeas between March and October.

Zone 9 has the longest growing season of them all. You only need to keep an eye out for frost from December to February. It’s safe to deadhead your hydrangeas during the remaining months.

Zone 6 to 9 states include:

• Rhode Island.
• Michigan.
• Oklahoma.
• Texas.
• Kentucky.
• Illinois.
• Maryland.
• Alabama.
• Florida.
• Hawaii.
• Nevada.

States in zones lower than 3 and higher than 9 cannot provide ideal temperatures for healthy hydrangea growth. The temperatures they experience are too low and too high. Some hydrangeas might even struggle in zone 8.

When and How To Deadhead Hydrangeas

Deadheading hydrangeas are pretty straightforward. Anyone can do it, and you require no special skills or training. You also don’t need special equipment.

The Best Time To Deadhead Hydrangeas

It’s important to deadhead your hydrangeas once their flowers turn brown. If you wait too long, they’ll start producing seeds and drain energy from the healthy parts of your plant.

Plant roots systematically send nutrients to new seeds producing flowerheads. Feeding a dead flower’s seeds is pointless, and your healthy flowers will be deprived of food while this happens.

If you like the vintage aesthetic of dead flowers in a winter garden, you can leave your hydrangeas to turn completely brown.

The more you deadhead your hydrangeas, the healthier they’ll look and be! New flowers will start growing sooner, and the stems will have a constant flow of nutrients.

How To Deadhead Hydrangeas in 3 Steps

Deadheading is precisely what the name suggests: cutting off dead heads on your plants. In this case, the head of your hydrangea is its flower. Using your hand or a sharp object, you should cut the globe of your hydrangea off just beneath its leaves.

What you’ll need:

• Pruning Shears
• Gardening Gloves
• Bag or Bucket

If you don’t have pruning shears, you can use your hands. Ensure you have gloves on!

Here’s how to deadhead your hydrangeas:

• Step 1: Identify the dead flowers on your hydrangeas by looking for brown spots.
• Step 2: Use your hand to separate the dead flowers from the rest of the plant. You should see the plant stem clearly. Hydrangeas also have big leaves that mark where you should be cutting them.
• Step 3: Use your pruning shears to cut just above the stem, right where it meets the first leaves of the flower. You should aim for a clean break if you’re using your hands.

Note: Use your bag or bucket to collect all the flowers you remove for easy cleanup!

Don’t cut too high or too low. The stems should stay intact to produce new flowers. If you follow these steps carefully, your hydrangeas will look great all year round!

The Benefits of Deadheading Hydrangeas

Removing dead flowers from any plant has multiple benefits. If you decide to deadhead your hydrangeas, your plant will stay healthier, and the chore can help you relax too!

Deadheading Controls Seed Spread

Once hydrangeas turn brown, they start forming new seeds. Deadheading your flowers early on can prevent seed formation and keep them from taking over your garden. This will help you control the volume of plants you have.

Deadheading Encourages Healthy Growth

Deadheading hydrangeas will encourage them to grow back even healthier than before. You’ll notice fuller blooms and an extended blooming period. Your plant will use all its energy to develop better plants to set seeds.

Deadheading Helps With Aesthetics

The primary reason for planting a colorful garden is to create a specific aesthetic. Dead flowers can quickly turn a cheerful garden gloomy. Deadheading will improve the appearance of your hydrangeas and garden in general.

5 Fast Facts About Hydrangeas!

• Hydrangeas flower in hues of blue, purple, white, and pink. Each color has a different meaning and is determined by the pH balance of your soil.
• The oakleaf hydrangea is the official state wildflower of Alabama.
• Buddhists use hydrangeas for cleansing and healing purposes.
• Drying hydrangeas out can extend their indoor lifetime by 12 months!
• Hydrangeas produce allergy-safe pollen, making them perfect for people with allergies. 

Final Words

Deadheading your hydrangeas won’t prevent them from turning brown. This practice isn’t necessary, and many gardeners choose to not do it. However, it can benefit your plants.

Hydrangeas can be pretty hardy towards extreme temperatures, but they aren’t immune. Your beautiful blue or purple globes will start dying if their planting conditions aren’t ideal, the weather acts up, or it’s just their time.

Deadheading will encourage your plant to develop new flowers more quickly. If you follow the right steps and deadhead your hydrangeas frequently, you’ll be rewarded with healthier, fuller flower heads for your garden!

You may also like:

• How Often To Water Newly Planted Hydrangeas
• Can You Plant Hydrangeas Outside
• Are Coffee Grounds Good for Hydrangeas?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas? Here’s the Scoop! appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

You should cut off brown hydrangea blooms. It’s difficult for the blooms to grow once they begin to brown, so cutting off any brown leaves on your hydrangea stops the plant from fighting to revive the dead leaves, helping it grow back healthier.

The rest of this article will get into more detail about why you should cut off brown hydrangea blooms and what causes them to brown in the first place. Keep reading!

Why You Should Cut Off Brown Hydrangea Blooms

Now that you know it’s ideal to cut off the brown hydrangea blooms, it’s time to talk about the why. There are many reasons why cutting off brown hydrangea blooms benefits the plant, but the main reasons include directing the plant’s energy toward more important parts of the plant.

I’ll discuss this in more detail in the following sections.

Cutting Off Brown Blooms Keeps the Rest of the Hydrangea Plant Healthy

The main reason you should cut off any brown blooms from your hydrangea is that your plant will attempt to revive those blooms. This means that the plant will expend all of its nutrients and hydration to try to keep those blooms alive.

Ultimately, this means that the rest of the plant will suffer because it’s putting so much effort into those blooms.

Cutting the brown blooms off of your hydrangea allows your plant to spread those nutrients and hydration around to focus on other parts of the plant. If you don’t cut them off, you risk the rest of the plant suffering and dying because it’s trying so hard to care for the brown blooms.

So, the best thing to do is to cut off those brown blooms to prevent the plant from damaging itself by trying to keep them alive. If you keep the brown blooms, you might notice even more blooms turning brown, and eventually, the entire plant can die because of it.

Cutting Off Brown Blooms Encourages Root Growth

Another reason that it’s important to trim those brown blooms is because it will allow the plant to put more energy into the roots. As discussed above, browning blooms take up a lot of nutrients and hydration that your plant needs to thrive. However, the plant will also neglect its roots when focused on keeping the blooms alive.

When your hydrangea can focus on root growth instead of reviving blooms, it allows the roots to spread, making the plant’s base stronger. As you know, stronger roots mean a stronger overall plant.

As mentioned, your hydrangea plant will put a lot of nutrients and hydration toward the brown blooms in an attempt to revive it, but it’ll also use a lot of energy to do this. That energy could be more useful if put toward the growth and overall health of the roots.

Why Are My Hydrangea Blooms Browning?

Seeing your beautiful hydrangea blooms browning is upsetting, especially when you have to cut them off to keep the rest of the plant healthy.

Unfortunately, there can be many different reasons why they’re browning, which are often difficult to distinguish from each other. The three main reasons include the outside temperature, soil quality, and the amount of water they’re receiving.

Let’s discuss these in more detail below.

The Temperature Is Too High

During those especially hot days when the sun makes it difficult to even step outside, your plants will struggle too. They’ll use more water than normal to keep themselves hydrated and healthy. So, you need to help them by providing that extra water for them to pull from.

Now, we know intense summer heat isn’t something that everyone has to experience. Places like the North Shore in Minnesota and, more largely, Alaska can offer you mild summers that don’t overwhelm your hydrangeas. Otherwise, most places in the United States will have some intense summer heat, even for a short period.

To help combat browning because of summer heat, you need to ensure that you provide enough water for the plants to withstand that heat.

This means that every few days, you should water your hydrangeas. However, instead of just spraying the plants, make sure you give them extra water to account for the heat.

Your Hydrangeas Have Direct Sun Exposure

While hot days can affect the overall health of your hydrangeas, you may also want to consider sun exposure. If you plant your hydrangeas where they’re exposed to too much sun, the blooms may brown very quickly because the sun will dry them out faster.

Even if the temperature isn’t too hot, direct sunlight can still dry out the hydrangeas quite a bit. This can make taking care of your hydrangeas challenging because even if they’re not exposed to extreme heat they may still brown.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean hydrangeas shouldn’t be in the sun at all, as they do need exposure to the sun. However, too much sun can cause the blooms to brown. So, it’s best for hydrangeas to be in partial shade instead of all-day sunlight to help them not overheat.

The Soil’s pH Level Is Off

One of the more difficult-to-determine reasons that your hydrangeas are browning is inadequate pH levels in the soil. The pH level of your soil is vital because too high or too low a pH can create many problems for your plant. If you notice that your blooms are turning brown, it may be worth checking your soil’s pH level.

The correct pH level for the soil around your hydrangeas is between 6 and 6.5. Higher or lower pH levels can cause many problems for your plant. If your pH levels are too high or too low for your hydrangeas, it’ll be more difficult for them to absorb the nutrients they need to thrive.

So, a pH level that’s either too high or too low can cause your hydrangea blooms to turn brown because they aren’t getting the nutrients they need. A small difference in pH levels may not cause significant browning of blooms, but it can prevent your plant from thriving and continuing to produce new blooms.

The best way to ensure that the pH level of your soil isn’t the problem is to test the soil. There are a few different options for testing your soil at home. My favorite is the My Soil Test Kit, available on Amazon. All you need to do is send some soil for analysis and wait for the results.

In about a week, you’ll be able to access the soil test results online. They actually have an app that breaks everything down for you and helps you more easily understand the results. The app will also help by suggesting recommendations for soil types that would help your hydrangeas thrive.

You’re Not Properly Watering Your Hydrangeas

Another factor that can impact the overall health of your hydrangeas is watering. While you may think that brown blooms on your hydrangea mean it’s not getting enough water, that’s not always the case. In fact, providing too much water for your plant can do just as much damage.

You don’t need to water your hydrangeas every day, even during especially hot days. This can cause significant overwatering problems. So, only water your hydrangeas once every few days to ensure you aren’t giving them too much water.

Overall, your hydrangeas need about one inch of water per week during the growing season. You should do this every few days to ensure maximum growth potential. After the hydrangeas have bloomed, they’ll need more water. So, adjust for the blooms when deciding how much water to apply.

It’s also important to note that when you water hydrangeas, you should avoid getting the blooms wet. Instead, focus the water in the soil and keep it off the blooms. This allows the water to reach where it needs to be for the plant to thrive. Watering the blooms can cause them to wilt, making the plant work harder to keep them alive.

Your hydrangea blooms may also begin to wilt or brown if you water them at the hottest point of the day. This is because the water has not yet had time to make its way into the soil before your plants need it to hydrate themselves.

So, always try to water your hydrangea in the morning before a long hot day. This will give the plant plenty of time to distribute the water and allow it to use the water throughout the day when needed.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to the care and maintenance of your hydrangea to cut off the brown blooms. You don’t want your plant to use its nutrients, water, and energy to attempt to revive those blooms rather than focus on the plant’s overall health.

If you notice that your hydrangea is browning, it’s important that you determine the cause, whether that’s too high of temperatures, incorrect pH levels in the soil, or inadequate watering

You may also like:

• Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas?
• Why Are My Hydrangeas Wilting?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Should I Cut Off Brown Hydrangea Blooms? appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Your hydrangea is not growing mainly due to the location you choose to plant your flowers. The ideal growing location and environment should offer adequate sunlight, water, and a relatively warm climate to bloom successfully. Hydrangeas also need specific pruning and maintenance to thrive.

The hydrangea species has many other unique needs, highlighting the potential differences between these types of flowers. In this article, I will explore the sun, water, and temperatures hydrangeas need to thrive—and what other steps you can take to promote plant growth.

Reasons Why Your Hydrangea Is Not Growing

Environmental challenges are hydrangeas’ most significant obstacle to successful growth and flowering. However, that isn’t the only problem they can encounter. There are three main environmental challenges to consider for hydrangea care.

Too Much or Not Enough Sunlight

Hydrangeas are quite a sensitive species, needing at least four to six hours of indirect sunlight daily. If it’s getting unfiltered, direct light, the plant can burn; on the flip side, if it is not getting enough light, it will stunt its growth.

For those new to the hydrangea species, it can be challenging to figure out where to place your flower and where it will get the right amount of light daily.

How To Fix

Generally, if your plant is south facing, it may get too much light since the south side gets sun from morning to night. If it’s facing the north, it likely won’t get enough sun, and hydrangeas are not very shade-tolerant. Your hydrangea, therefore, should not face north or south.

East and west-facing plants get sunlight at opposite times. East-facing plants will get soft morning sunlight, while those facing west will get direct sunlight from the afternoon sun. With this in mind, hydrangeas should face the east, where they won’t get burnt by the harsh afternoon sun.

Planting your flowers on the east side of your home (for outdoor gardens) or placing them in east-facing windows will ensure the hydrangeas have the most growing success. Suppose, for whatever reason, neither of these options is available to you.

In that case, the best purchase to invest in is the Ajepcil Grow Light for Indoor Plants (available on Amazon.com), which can provide your flower with any sunlight you may lack.

Too Much or Not Enough Water

There are very few soil-grown plants that can tolerate sitting in excessive water. When this happens—you’ve overwatered your hydrangea—the roots can rot, eventually killing the entire plant.

Plant death can also occur if your hydrangea doesn’t get enough water. If the plant is blackening in color, you’ll know this is the issue.

The telltale sign of a hydrangea not getting enough water is wilting leaves. The flowers will droop and lose petals, browning over time. You’ll also notice that the soil will be bone dry by sticking your finger into the growing medium—at least up to your knuckle. The knuckle trick is easy to determine whether you need to water your plant.

How To Fix

Overall, you should water your plant with about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of water per week. After the math, that equals roughly .15 cm (0.19 in) daily, meaning hydrangeas don’t need deep watering daily.

Instead, they need light sips of water with a good drink three times a week. If you have recently planted your flowers, they will need extra water to help the roots set.

The easiest trick to mastering a good watering schedule is incorporating it into your weekly routine. Feeding your hydrangea every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will ensure your plant gets enough water. The XLUX Soil Moisture Meter (available on Amazon.com) is an excellent gadget for reliability and accuracy in checking the moisture level of your plant’s soil.

If maintaining a regular watering schedule is difficult, there are automatic watering systems to help with this problem, such as the Rainpoint Auto Watering System (available on Amazon.com).

The system uses a timer to inject water through a tube into the plant’s soil, and you can set it up to water multiple plants at a time, even if you are out of the house on errands!

The Climate Is Too Cold

The third most significant issue that may cause your hydrangea to stop growing is the temperature of the climate of your planting area. Hydrangeas do not like cold temperatures and prefer moist, warm environments to grow in.

Hardiness is the term used to describe how climate-appropriate a specific plant is for your location (if growing outdoors). There are thirteen hardiness zones throughout the United States— most hydrangeas thrive in zones three to seven, at ideal growth temperatures of 59-64℉. (15–18°C).

The best states in America with hardiness zones between 3 and 7 are the following:

• Wyoming
• Minnesota
• North and South Dakota
• Wisconsin
• Idaho
• Nebraska
• Denver
• Iowa

These states are along the upper coast of the country—the outer lying states become less environmentally friendly for the hydrangea to go the farther away they lie.

How To Fix

Aside from potting your flowers and keeping them inside where it’s warm, there isn’t much you can do about outdoor climates. If you know you live in a cooler area, choose to put your hydrangeas in an east-facing window versus planting them outside in the garden.

Draping a sheet over your plant in cooler weather will help insulate it and retain heat and moisture. Mulch is another option. Mulch refers to decaying leaves or compost placed over a plant’s soil to help protect it.

Suppose these aren’t options– there are also electrical products that can keep a plant toasty warm. For example, the YLYYCC Graphene Heat Mat (available on Amazon.com) maintains heat between -60 to 60°F (-51.11 – 15.55°C), which is adequate for hydrangeas.

Other Causes Behind Stunted Hydrangeas

Environmental challenges aren’t the only ones that hydrangea owners can face when discovering how to grow a lovely, healthy flower. Some other causes include:

• Nutrient-deficient soil: Hydrangeas grow best in soil that is rich in nutrients. Your flower’s soil should provide phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
• Too much pruning: If you Prune your plant too often and too soon—it can discourage growth. Only prune your hydrangea once the first flowers have begun to die.
• Transplant shock: If you’ve recently transplanted your hydrangea, the shock could prevent the plant from flowering. Keep the plant’s soil moist to help the adjustment.
• Too young: New hydrangeas can skip the first year of flowering, especially if recovering from transplant shock. Continue caring for your plant as usual.
• Stress: If your hydrangea is otherwise stressed, all the flower’s energy will go to recovering versus growing and blooming. Continue caring for your plant as usual.
• Planted too early: Planting your hydrangea too early in the growing season will affect your plant growth.
• Root bound: If your flower is root bound, the roots have grown amongst each other due to reduced space in a pot. Unpot your hydrangea and move it to a pot at least ½ inch (12.7 mm) bigger.

Solving Stunted Hydrangea Growth

As you can see, there are various reasons why your hydrangea plant might not be growing correctly; there are also multiple solutions! Each problem requires some careful observation and analysis to diagnose the situation appropriately.

Once you know what the issue is, you’ll be able to find the best solution easier, and luckily, most are relatively simple to solve.

Monitor Your Hydrangea Health

Keeping a watch over your hydrangeas as they grow can often solve a growth issue before it properly takes hold. If your hydrangea is generally not browning, wilting, or showing signs of decay, the care you’re providing is adequate. You only need patience for the plant to settle and begin its flowering process.

Otherwise, you should close;y monitor any leaf discoloration or signs of pests or ill health, and you should address these issues as they arise.

Consider Your Specific Species

Another essential thing to consider is that hydrangeas are a massive species with countless different types of plants with differing needs. For example, the Mophead hydrangea can survive in colder temperatures, but Oakleaf hydrangeas need the hot summer sun to bloom.

Research Your Particular Hydrangea Species

So, learning about the specific hydrangea flower can also help to improve care and prevent plant illness.

The Hydrangea Book by Michael A. Dirr (available on Amazon.com) is an informative guide that will help you navigate the world of this beautiful flowering plant. The Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener by Joan Harrison (also available on Amazon.com) is another recommended guide to preparing, planting, and maintaining this species.

Conclusion

The most common reasons for stunted growth in hydrangeas are environmental; too much or little sun, water, and warmth can stop the flower from growing and kill it altogether.

However, there are many more potential causes, so the best way to learn about hydrangea care is to research online or through a local library before purchasing this flower species. After reading this article, you should hopefully better understand how to care for hydrangeas and promote plant growth.

You may also like:

• Hydrangea Flowers Turning Brown
• How To Transplant a Hydrangea
• How To Save a Dying Hydrangea

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Hydrangea Not Growing [Reasons & What to Do] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Hydrangea flowers turn brown when one or all of their needs aren’t met. Ensure your shrubs get enough sunlight and water. Hydrangeas like slightly acidic soil, so doing a soil test or planting your hydrangeas in potting mix balanced for their needs will help. A watering schedule is also helpful.

The rest of this article will give you all the information you need to keep your hydrangeas from turning brown. I’ll also share which hydrangeas grow well in different hardiness zones and how best to maintain them.

Hydrangea Turning Brown

Reasons and Solutions

If you notice your hydrangeas turning brown, you’re definitely doing something wrong because these flowers aren’t fussy. Once you’ve identified the cause of the browning, you should act immediately. Here’s what’s possibly bringing about the color change:

Your Hydrangeas Are Growing in Full Sun

Extended exposure to direct sunlight could cause leaf browning.

While some hydrangeas enjoy full sun, partially shaded spots work better for these flowers. An area that catches morning rays and only receives direct sunlight for four to six hours a day is ideal. When temperatures start to rise, your hydrangea should be protected by shade.

Hot weather can scorch hydrangea leaves. The soil around your plants will also dry up quicker. If your hydrangea experiences dehydration, its leaves will wilt and turn brown.

You can fix sunlight issues by moving your hydrangea to a different area in your yard. Planting your hydrangea in a container or in a pot base with wheels will make it easier to move around as needed. If you choose to replant your hydrangea in a different spot, wait until fall or spring to do this.

Your Hydrangea Is Experiencing Repotting Shock

Replanting or potting your hydrangea to protect it from harsh sunlight is an excellent solution to browning, but it can lead to more complications. Repotting shock is also common when bringing your plants home from their nursery.

Hydrangeas can have trouble adjusting to a new environment. The stress they experience can cause droopy or brown leaves. Another reason this happens when replanting these flowers is a lack of moisture or nutrients.

To avoid repotting shock, leave your hydrangea in its nursery pot for a few days after bringing it home. You can still place it in the spot you’ve picked for it. Once you’re ready to transplant your hydrangea into the ground or a bigger pot, gently loosen its root. This will help the root ball absorb more water.

It would help if you kept your hydrangea watered within the first few days after replanting. Young, growing hydrangeas need moist soil to properly establish.

Your Hydrangeas Aren’t Moistured Properly

Hydrangeas thrive in moist soil. If you live in a primarily sunny state, your hydrangeas’ leaves and flowers will lose water quickly. While plants are fairly good at adjusting to their environment, an inconsistent watering schedule could throw your hydrangeas off.

If you water on the surface, your plants will also have trouble getting enough moisture.

Although these plants are thirsty, it’s possible to overwater them. Hydrangeas can wilt and turn brown if they receive too much water, likewise when receiving too little. You should stick to a strict watering schedule to ensure the soil holds just enough moisture between watering days.

If you notice browning leaves on your hydrangeas, water them in the morning or evening. Watering at midday can lead to overwatering since plant leaves typically look a little wilted at this time.

You can also soak your hydrangeas instead of watering them if they’re planted in pots. To do this, simply submerge them bloom in the water a few days per week. Doing this for about an hour per session will keep your plants hydrated.

The Soil Around Your Hydrangeas Isn’t Balanced

Synthetic fertilizers can cause fertilizer burn. If the one you use is too strong or you give a higher dose than instructed, your hydrangea can develop browning flowers and leaf edges. Fertilizing the soil while it’s dry can also lead to burning issues.

You should ensure your hydrangea is hydrated before fertilizing it and use a fertilizer formulated for this plant. Slow-release fertilizers have a decreased risk of causing damage, but if you opt for a fast-release one, spread it lightly in March, May, and July.

Organic fertilizers have a better track record than synthetic ones. You can purchase these at your local nursery or make your own. Besides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, hydrangeas also need magnesium and calcium. Bone meal, leaf mold, and vegetable scraps are good sources of these nutrients.

The Best States for Healthy Hydrangea Growth

Ideal growing conditions can help prevent hydrangea leaves from turning brown. These perennials grow best in hardiness zones 3 to 7, and if you pick the right spot in your yard, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Hydrangeas in full bloom can be the centerpiece of your garden if they look healthy.

Growing Hydrangeas in Hardiness Zone 3: Minnesota

Minnesota has harsh winters. You need to plant hydrangeas that can successfully overwinter but also tolerate the sun well when in bloom.

The summers in Zone 3 can become extremely hot and dry. Some excellent species for Minnesota include the Annabelle, Grandiflora, intermedia, and limelight hydrangeas.

To prevent browning leaves in zone 3, ensure your hydrangeas are planted in a partly shaded spot. The soil should drain quickly, although you need to keep it moist. Ditch synthetic fertilizers in this zone. Instead, spread organic compost around your hydrangeas in a layer about one inch (25 mm) thick. This is best done during spring.

Growing Hydrangeas in Hardiness Zone 4: Arizona

The best way to plant hydrangeas in Zone 4 is under shady trees. Hydrangeas are heat-tolerant and do better when receiving morning sun while enjoying protection when the sun is scorching hot in the afternoons.

You can choose between bigleaf, oakleaf, panicle, and smooth hydrangeas if you live in Arizona. These hydrangea species need five to six hours of sunlight daily, so don’t plant them in full shade.

Ensure you keep the soil your hydrangeas grow in moist in this zone. They can brown on days with extreme temperature highs. Hydrangeas prefer mild temperatures and humidity. If they experience a few hot, dry days without enough water, they can wilt and turn brown.

Growing Hydrangeas in Hardiness Zone 5: Nebraska

Hydrangeas in zone 5 need special protection. They won’t thrive without good soil and enough water in states like Nebraska. Species to choose from for this region include the Annabelle, limelight, little quickfire, and panicle hydrangea.

They’re all gorgeous, and if you meet their needs consistently, these hydrangeas will be free from brown spots throughout the growing season.

Zone 5 is all about heating. Hydrangeas don’t do well in scorching direct sunlight, so you should keep the ground around your plants wet. You can add organic material like peat moss or coconut coir if your soil drains fast to ensure it keeps moisture.

Doing this will help your plant roots absorb enough water and nutrients, keeping your hydrangeas healthy.

Growing Hydrangeas in Hardiness Zone 6: West Virginia

West Virginia has acidic soil, making it perfect for hydrangeas. Species like the Annabelle, bigleaf, oakleaf, and panicle hydrangeas can withstand the temperatures in this region and produce flowers that will color your garden beautifully. Choose a location that receives partial shade.

If you keep a strict watering schedule, your hydrangeas will survive the heat zone 6 experiences on particularly sunny days. Avoid shallow watering daily. Instead, submerge your potted hydrangeas or create a pool around grounded plants if your soil drains well. Without enough water, hydrangea leaves can become droopy, brown, and even die.

Growing Hydrangeas in Hardiness Zone 7: Texas

The best place to plant hydrangeas if you’re living in Texas is on the East side of your house. Plant them under a tree canopy if there isn’t an ideal spot.

This will ensure your plants receive morning sunlight and an afternoon breeze to cool them off. Texas tends to get scorching hot, so providing your hydrangeas with coolness is a must.

Oakleaf, panicle, perigee, and French hydrangeas grow best in Zone 7 states. All species are breathtaking when their leaves aren’t wilted. Some can even be trained into a tree! You should keep the pH and aluminum levels of your plant’s soil balanced to help them retain colorful flowers. If you give them everything they need to stay healthy, you won’t have any browning issues.

Summary

Keep the hardiness of each hydrangea species in mind when choosing one or more for your garden. Planting hydrangeas compatible with your zone’s climate and soil conditions will keep you ahead of browning. Then, the only thing left to keep your flowers lively is adequate watering.

Still, you don’t need to choose a hydrangea indigenous to your state to see it thrive. As long as you meet its demands, you’ll have show-stopping displays when they’re in bloom. Hydrangeas are one of the most popular shrubs – and with good reason!

You may also like:

• Hydrangea Not Growing
• How To Save a Dying Hydrangea
• How To Make Hydrangea Stems Stronger
• What Is Eating My Hydrangea Leaves?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post Hydrangea Flowers Turning Brown [Reasons and Solutions] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

Transplant your Hydrangea by digging a hole, then digging out the shrub’s root ball, and moving the root ball into the first hole that you dug. Fill the hole with fertilized soil, soak the root ball thoroughly in water, and continue to water every two or three days to help the plant’s roots set.

If your Hydrangea is moving to a container, fill it about a third of the way with soil and follow the above instructions, instead of moving the root ball into the pot.

The remainder of this article will detail the steps to successfully transplanting a Hydrangea and offer tips on how to ensure your plant recovers well from the move.

5 Steps to Transplanting Your Hydrangea

Moving your Hydrangea from one place to another can be done in five easy steps. While you really only need a shovel and sometimes a pot (if you’re moving the Hydrangea to a container), there are a few other materials you may want to consider using, such as:

• Gardening gloves
• A durable bag or a wheelbarrow to transfer plants in
• A trowel to help remove the shrub’s root ball

1. Dig the New Home First

Before even embarking on the transplant process, dig into the shrub’s new home first. It’s essential to do this at the very beginning because the longer the Hydrangea’s root ball is exposed, the longer it could take for it to form a robust root system in its new location.

From the moment you dig the shrub up, the plant is at high risk of experiencing transplant shock. Transplant shock refers to the stress that a plant with disturbed roots can experience, making it more susceptible to damage and root death.

It’s a process that occurs when the plant’s root system isn’t sufficient for its size and general needs.

If you’re transplanting a large shrub, make sure its new location is deep and wide enough to accommodate its root system. Additionally, if you’re moving a shrub to a container, make sure the container is large – at least twenty inches wide – as Hydrangeas roots grow rapidly once developed and will quickly outgrow a pot any smaller.

2. Dig the Hydrangea Up

When the Hydrangea’s new home is prepared, you can begin the process of digging the shrub’s root ball up. To do this, you’ll need a shovel, trowel, and, if desired, a bag or wheelbarrow to carry the plant in.

Hydrangeas can be very large shrubs, meaning their root systems are heavy and sometimes difficult to remove. To protect yourself from injury, have a second person around to help carry the shrub.

A wheelbarrow is a great option to avoid having to carry a heavy shrub from one location to another.

Push your shovel deep into the ground in a circle around the shrub. Generally, Hydrangea roots don’t grow deeper than about six inches. So, your shovel will hit the root ball about six to seven inches in.

Dig until you can lift the root ball out from all around the shrub. Remember, you may need a second person to help you remove it with another shovel or trowel.

3. Make the Transplant

Once you’ve dug up the root ball, it’s time to make the move.

You can place the Hydrangea bush in a durable bag or wheelbarrow to move it to its new location. Another handy, durable yard tool is the Gorilla Cart from Amazon.com, which is slightly more compact than a wheelbarrow.

With four wheels, a handle, and removable sides, the Gorilla Cart makes heavy-duty yard work much easier on the back and legs.

Consider pruning the shrub prior to moving if it’s very large, or use gardening cord ties to tie some of the branches together to prevent them from getting in the way.

With someone’s help, lower the root ball into the first hole that you dug, which should be about six to seven inches deep and just as wide (as was the shrub’s last home).

If you’re looking for good cord ties, try these Generic Plant Ties from Amazon.com. They’re great for office management but you can also use them to tie your hydrangea’s branches together. This one comes in a 100 ft roll so you can use it for anything else you like.

If you are moving the Hydrangea to a container, remember that their fast-growing roots will not succeed in a small pot. A Hydrangea container should be twenty or more inches wide and have a drainage hole at the bottom.

4. Fill In the Hole

Once your Hydrangea is settled in its new home, begin to fill in the hole with soil. Here, you can use a mixture of older soil (the stuff you dug up) and newer, fertilized soil.

Hydrangeas love compost, so feel free to use some when transplanting your shrub. You can mix compost into the top layers of soil around the plant.

5. Soak Root Ball

Finally, soak the root ball specifically (not the entire Hydrangea) to ensure that it has water in its new environment. If the weather is warm during the move, you’ll want to provide the shrub with plenty of water in the coming days and weeks to help it establish a strong root system.

If the weather is cooler during the time of transplant, it means that the Hydrangea will shortly be going dormant (if it’s not already, as we will discuss below). Thus one thorough watering should suffice until the growing season begins again.

Keep an eye on your Hydrangea after the move. Signs of transplant shock include curling, yellowing leaves, and overall plant death. Hydrangeas prefer to live in moist soil, so if the shrub isn’t dormant, make sure to water it regularly. The more water a transplanted plant has, the better its chances of survival.

There are a few other things to remember when transplanting your Hydrangea, including what time of year you’re doing it and what to do if your plant looks like it’s dying.

When Should I Transplant My Hydrangea?

As previously mentioned, Hydrangea transplant timing is everything. This is because Hydrangeas are perennial plants, meaning that they come back to life every year.

So, moving it in the middle of the growing season– while it can be done– isn’t the greatest timing for the shrub, as it disturbs the growth process for the following year.

If you’re thinking of transplanting your Hydrangea, you should do it just before or after the dormancy season. Before the ground freezes in the fall, move your Hydrangea and give it one good watering before it goes dormant for the winter.

If for whatever reason, you can’t transplant your shrub at any time other than in the middle of the growing season, it can still be done. The disturbed roots and excessive heat of summer can stress the Hydrangea and dry it out quickly; this explains the importance of having the new hole dug first, so the shrub’s roots aren’t exposed to the environment for too long.

Needless to say, transplanting the shrub in the middle of Winter is incredibly difficult, especially if you want to move it from an outdoor garden. Thus, the best times to make the move are in the Spring and Fall.

How To Tell if My Hydrangea Is Dormant

A dormant Hydrangea will have lost all of its leaves and flowers as the weather gets colder and the ground begins to freeze. This will happen every year in the Fall. However, the Hydrangea’s stem should still be green and lively. Additionally, the Hydrangea should begin to “come back to life” in the Spring– if it’s not and also shows some of the below signs, it may be dead.

If the Hydrangea is dead, the stem will have turned yellow to brown and may wilt. The flowers and leaves won’t return in the Spring, and you’ll generally witness stunted growth of the plant. The flowers will turn brown, dry up and drop off the plant.

Keep in mind that sometimes the shrub will skip a growing season right after the transplant, so be patient when you’re nursing the Hydrangea back to good health. It can take a considerable length of time for a Hydrangea to redevelop its roots.

To help this process along, you can ensure it is getting enough sunlight. If you’re living in a US state with lots of suns (like Nevada) then this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you’re living in a place that often experiences cloud cover (such as Connecticut) then you’ll need to take extra precautions to ensure your hydrangea is happy.

Conclusion

In summary, you can transplant your Hydrangea by digging a hole, digging up the plant’s root ball, and moving it to its new location. If you’ve moved the plant before Winter, make sure to give the root ball a thorough soak.

If you’ve moved it during the Spring, continuously water the Hydrangea to help it establish a strong root system. Depending on the size, these plants can be hefty, so having a second person nearby to help is recommended.

If you follow these steps, successfully transplanting your Hydrangea shrub should be a straightforward and fulfilling task.

You may also like:

• How Often To Water Newly Planted Hydrangeas
• How To Make Hydrangea Stems Stronger
• Hydrangea Bush Not Flowering

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post How To Transplant a Hydrangea? appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.

To save a dying hydrangea, you must figure out what is causing it to die. If it’s dying from dehydration, give it more water. If it’s dying from not getting enough sunlight, you’ll need to ensure it gets more sunlight throughout the day. You may also need to fertilize it and cut off dead leaves.

This article will discuss how to save a dying hydrangea in more detail. Keep reading to find some helpful solutions!

1. Give Your Hydrangea Plenty of Water

If your hydrangea is dying from dehydration, you’ll need to start watering it more to bring it back to life. The main signs of a dehydrated hydrangea include:

• Wilting leaves. Hydrangeas (and other plants) that are dehydrated tend to look droopy and sad. If left dehydrated for long enough, the leaves will continue to droop and eventually die.
• Discolored leaves. Leaves should be lusciously green on your hydrangea. If they’re discolored, your plant might need more water.
• Dry soil. Soil that feels dry to the touch indicates that your hydrangea isn’t receiving enough water.

Hydrangeas like lots of water, so you should water yours thoroughly once a week. If you’re not already doing this, that’s probably why your plant is dying.

However, you may not need to water your plant that much if you live somewhere with lots of rain, like Louisiana (one of the rainiest states in the US). If you’re unsure whether or not your hydrangea is dehydrated, look out for the signs mentioned above.

2. Avoid Overwatering Your Hydrangea

In the last section, I discussed the importance of watering your hydrangea if you want to save it from dying. However, another thing that can cause a hydrangea to fail is too much water. In that case, you’ll need to tone it down and reduce the water you give it.

If you’re unsure whether your hydrangea is receiving too much water, here are some things to look out for:

• Wilting leaves. Although wilting leaves are a sign of dehydration in plants like hydrangeas, they can also indicate over-saturation.
• Soggy soil. If the surrounding soil is saturated, you might be giving your hydrangea too much water.
• Soft leaves. Leaves that feel soft and soggy are an indication of overwatering. They may also become slightly discolored.

To save your overwatered hydrangea plant, you must stop watering it immediately. Additionally, you should keep it shaded until it dries out so it doesn’t get damaged by the sunlight. Once thoroughly dried, you can give it sunlight and water it evenly.

If your hydrangea is dying because there is too much rainfall, keep it sheltered to protect it. Otherwise, it will eventually die and won’t be revivable.

3. Fertilize Your Hydrangea

Fertilizer gives plants the nutrients they need to grow and thrive in their environments. If your hydrangea doesn’t have enough nutrients, it won’t have the strength to grow and bloom. It might even begin to die, so you need to act fast if it needs vital nutrients.

According to Oregon State Extension, you should fertilize hydrangeas using balanced, time-released fertilizers twice a year. It also recommends using a fertilizer low in phosphate if you want blue and purple flowers.

But once your hydrangea receives enough of the most essential nutrients (like nitrogen and potassium), it should return to life in no time.

An example of a fertilizer you can use to revive your dying hydrangea (if it’s lacking nutrients) is The Andersons PGF Balanced Fertilizer, available now on Amazon.com. The fertilizer is perfect for all kinds of plants (including hydrangeas) and contains all the essential nutrients it needs.

You should only fertilize your plant if you’re sure it needs nutrients. The best way to determine if a nutrient deficiency is why your plant is dying is to do a soil test. A soil test will tell you exactly what nutrients your soil is lacking.

4. Give Your Hydrangea More Sunlight

Your hydrangea might be dying due to a lack of sunlight. If that’s the case, you’ll need to give it more sunlight throughout the day to revive it. You’ll need to replant it if it’s in a shaded garden area. If it’s in a pot or another container, it’ll be easier to move into the sunlight.

The amount of sunlight your hydrangea needs depends on the type because there are many different varieties. While some can thrive with hours of sunlight daily, others prefer shade for most of the day.

You should check the sunlight requirements of your specific hydrangea species to determine how much sunlight to give it.

Here are some signs that your hydrangea is lacking sunlight in case you’re unsure:

• Leggy growth. This is when plants have long stems without many leaves or blooms. It’s a sure sign your hydrangea needs more sun.
• Pale leaves. Leaves that become pale or small (or both) are signs that your hydrangea isn’t receiving enough sun.
• Stunted growth. A hydrangea that has stopped growing (or growing slower than usual) might not be receiving enough sun. You’ll likely also notice a lack of flowers.

If you suspect your hydrangea needs more sun, put it under sunlight as soon as possible!

5. Give Your Hydrangea Less Sunlight if It’s Scorched

Although a lack of sunlight can cause your hydrangea to die, too much sun can also be a big issue. If your hydrangea is under the sun all day and you live in a hot part of the country (such as Arizona or Southern California), you may need to give it more shade.

Hydrangeas can get scorched if they receive too much sunlight, and scorching can eventually lead to plant deterioration and death. You want to fix the issue before it becomes irreversible, so give your plant shade immediately if you suspect it’s getting too much sunlight.

Here are some signs your hydrangea is receiving too much sunlight:

• Dry, crispy leaves. Too much sun can cause the leaves on your hydrangea plant to turn dry and brittle. It can also indicate your plant needs more water. Generally, too much sun and dehydration go hand-in-hand.
• A hydrangea that feels hot. If you touch your plant and notice it feels too hot, it’s likely getting too much sun.
• Stunted growth. A plant that’s getting too much sunlight might stop growing. However, it might continue to grow, but at a slower-than-usual pace.

If you give your hydrangea shade and water it enough after receiving too much sun, you should be able to revive it. When watering, be sure to water deeply around the roots so the water can reach far enough down the soil.

6. Ensure Your Hydrangea Has Enough Space To Grow

If you plant your hydrangeas and other plants too close together, they will have growth issues because they will need to compete more aggressively for nutrients and water. As a result, some plants might begin to die.

Overcrowding can also lead to diseases like fungal infections because of the lack of airflow around plants. The amount of space you should leave between plants depends on the hydrangea species. But generally, you should leave between 3 and 10 feet (0.9 and 3 meters) between each plant.

If there isn’t enough space between your hydrangeas, you should remove some of them to free some up. Then, the ones left will have enough room to grow, and they won’t have to compete as much for nutrients and water.

7. Cut Away Dead Pieces

No matter what is causing your hydrangea to die, you should be sure to cut away any dead pieces. Finished pieces may include:

• Twigs
• Leaves
• Flowers

Cutting away dead parts of the plant will allow new, healthy pieces to grow in their places. Cut off any leaves that appear extremely discolored or crispy, but be sure to salvage any healthy growth.

You can use your hands to remove dead plant parts but use scissors or pliers if you want. Be gentle when cutting away dead pieces because you don’t want to damage any healthy sections.

After cutting away any dead parts, your hydrangea should show new growth at the beginning of the growing season.

How To Keep a Hydrangea Healthy

To keep a hydrangea healthy, give it plenty of water throughout the growing season. Most hydrangea species require large amounts of water, so you must never forget to water them. You should also make sure the soil is rich in nutrients and well-drained.

Conclusion

How you save your dying hydrangea will depend on what’s causing the issue. One of the biggest causes of hydrangea death is a lack of water; to solve this issue, you must give it plenty of water.

However, too much water can also cause problems. In that case, be sure to keep it dry and reduce watering. You should also ensure your hydrangea is receiving enough (but not too much) sunlight. Plant it somewhere that receives sunlight and shade throughout the day for the best results.

You may also like:

• How To Make Hydrangea Stems Stronger
• Why Are My Hydrangeas Wilting?

Sophia

Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.

The post How To Save a Dying Hydrangea? [7 Easy Ways] appeared first on HousePlantsInfo.com.