Hydrangea Care
Watering
- For the first year or two after planting and during any drought, be sure hydrangeas get plenty of water.
- Water at a rate of 1 inch per week throughout the growing season. It’s better to deeply water 3 times a week than sprinkle water in a shallow manner. This encourages root growth.
- Bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas require more water, but all varieties benefit from consistent moisture.
- Leaves will wilt if the soil is too dry, and flowering will be hampered by a lack of water.
- Use a soaker hose to water deeply and keep moisture off the flowers and leaves.
- It’s best to water in the morning to prepare hydrangeas for the the heat of the day and to avoid disease.
- Add organic mulch underneath your hydrangeas to help keep the soil moist and cool, add nutrients over time, and improve soil texture.
Fertilizing
If your soil is rich, you may not need to fertilize hydrangeas. Too much fertilizer encourages leafy growth at the expense of blooms. The best way to determine your fertility needs is by using a soil test.
Apply fertilizer based on your specific hydrangeas. Each variety has different needs and will benefit from different application timing.
- Bigleaf hydrangeas can benefit from several light fertilizer applications in March, May and June.
- Oakleaf and panicle hydrangeas do best with two applications in April and June.
- Smooth hydrangea plants only need fertilization once, in late winter.
Winter protection
- In the fall, cover plants to a depth of at least 18 inches with bark mulch, leaves, pine needles, or straw in the fall. If at all possible, cover the entire plant, tip included, by making cages out of snow fencing or chicken wire, and loosely filling the cages with leaves. (Do not use maple leaves, as they tend to mat when wet and can suffocate the plant.)
How to Change the Color of Hydrangea Flowers
It is possible to change the flowers’ colors, but not instantly. Color correction takes weeks—even months. Wait until the plant is at least 2 years old to give it time to recover from the shock of its original planting. Also note that it’s easier to change blue flowers to pink than pink to blue.
It’s not every hydrangea that changes color. The color of some Bigleaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla)—especially Mophead and Lacecap types—and H. serrata cultivars change color based on the soil pH.
Acidic soils with a pH of less than 5.5 produce blue flowers; soils with a pH greater than 5.5 produce pink flowers. White flowers are not affected by pH.
See How to Change the Color of Hydrangea Flowers for more information.

How to Prune a Hydrangea
Many of our readers’ questions involve pruning hydrangeas. And no wonder—it’s confusing, and all depends on the variety of hydrangea. Luckily, as long as you know which type you’ve got, it’s easy to figure out what sort of pruning technique to employ.
Learn the essentials below, then read more about how to prune hydrangea varieties here.
Hydrangea Type |
When to Prune |
Where Flowers Appear |
---|
Bigleaf (H. macrophylla) |
Summer, after flowering |
On old growth |
Oakleaf (H. quercifolia) |
Summer, after flowering |
On old growth |
Panicle (H. paniculata) |
Late winter, before spring growth |
On new growth |
Smooth (H. arborescens) |
Late winter, before spring growth |
On new growth |
Mountain (H. serrata) |
Summer, after flowering |
On old growth |
Climbing (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris) |
Summer, after flowering |
On old growth |
Pruning Common Hydrangeas
The most common garden hydrangea shrub is the Bigleaf variety, Hydrangea macrophylla. (See more below.)
Bigleaf (H. macrophylla), Oakleaf (H. quercifolia), Mountain (H. serrata), and Climbing hydrangeas (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris) are pruned AFTER the flowers fade in the summer. These varieties bloom on the previous season’s stems (“old wood”).
- Flower buds actually form in the late summer and flower afterwards the following season, so avoid pruning after August 1.
- Only cut away dead wood in the fall or very early spring.
- To prune, cut one or two of the oldest stems down to the base to encourage branching and fullness.
- If the plant is old, neglected, or damaged, prune all the stems down to the base. You’ll lose the flowers for the upcoming season, but also rejuvenate the plant for future years.
- It’s best not to deadhead (remove faded blooms) on the big Mopheads; leave them over the winter and cut them back in early spring (to the first healthy pair of buds). It’s fine to deadhead the Lacecaps; cut down to the second pair of leaves below the flower head.
- When growing H. macrophylla (and H. serrata) varieties in Zones 4 and 5, do not prune unless absolutely necessary, and then do so immediately after blooming. Otherwise, remove only dead stem in the spring.
Other Hydrangeas
Panicle (H. paniculata) and Smooth (H. arborescens) hydrangeas are pruned BEFORE flower buds are formed. These varieties bloom on the current season’s stems (“new wood”).
- Prune in the late winter when the plant is dormant. This means that if the buds are killed during the winter, the plant will produce new buds in the spring which will produce blooms.
- In general, prune only dead branches, and do not prune to “shape” the bush.
Read more about how to prune hydrangea types.
Reader Comments
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Hydrangea Cuttings
Hydrangeas can be started from cuttings, though typically it’s done with cuttings that don’t have flowers. Here’s how to do it:
The cutting can be kept indoors if outside temperatures are too extreme, or placed in a sheltered spot outdoors. Wait until fall, when temperatures are mild, to transplant the cutting to its permanent home in your garden!
If you try this method, let us know how it goes!
Hygrangeas leaves
My leaves are turning really brown/grey plus I think something is eating the leaves. please give advice as to what I should do. I live in Mississippi
Hardiness Planting Zone?
Will hydrangeas grow in zone 10?
Hygrangeas
Can a hygrangeas that is in full bloom be planted?
Planting hydrangea
Yes, you may transplant established hydrangeas but it’s best to move specimens in the spring after the last spring frost or in the fall. It’s best to avoid the period when the hydrangea is actively growing (March through September).
Planting Blooming Hydrangea past the planting stage
We received a blooming hydrangea as a gift from a funeral. Being that it's May and past the planting stage, should we plant anyway?
Planting blooming hydrangeas now - best location north, east?
Last summer I planted two hydrangeas on the north east side of my home and they survived the winter. The leaves are about eight inches tall. Would they grow better in another location?
There's yet another color out there
There's also a variety that blooms with very light green flowers (which eventually turn reddish-purple over time).
Repotting
I've recently been given beautiful hydrangea as a gift but it losing flowers, wilting and dying off already. Its too cold to plant outside yet. If I transfer to bigger pot for a month or more and then transplant outside should that be ok or too traumatic for plant? Otherwise I'll get big pot and leave it! Thank you for any advice☺
wilting hydrangea
The hydrangea gift was in all likelihood a forced plant—forced to flower out of its natural season by a nursery to be appealing in stores. Sometimes these can be saved, sometimes they can not. Try to keep the moisture level balanced—not too wet. Let it dry out between waterings. You could try to transplant it…but if it is weak/wilting now, the stress of transplanting may be too much for it to handle. If you lose it, consider that it was a lovely gesture—and the inspiration to purchase one that you can plant outdoors and enjoy for years.
Poison
Are hydrangea poison to animals?
toxicity
Here’s what the ASPCA has to say, “Hydrangeas do contain small amounts of cyanide but surprisingly we do not see signs consistent with cyanide (difficulty breathing, dark red gums, death). Dogs and cats frequently have vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting the hydrangea flowers. It would be best to keep the flowers outside and away from your pets.” For more information, see ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
Plan to plant hydrangaeas
Hello! I am from Philippines and I am planning to plant hydrangaeas for my thesis, but I only have six months before my thesis starts. Will hydrangaeas flower within that range of time? Is there any technique to grow the hydrangaeas faster??
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hydrangea Macrophylla care? Climbing hydrangea?
1. Was given a Macrophyll late July, was potted, still has a few leaves. How do I transplant to outdoors? 2. Had a landscaper plant a "climbing" hydrangea on the NW corner of our garage. In over 5 years it has NEVER bloomed. HELP!
Plant wont grow.
I planted 2 Hydrangaes in front of our Church. One is growing and growing and is beautiful.
On the other side of the walk the other one was planted. It would not grow and would not produce leaves in the spring. So I bought another one, it is not doing anything and looks poor. I am assuming the soil is in need of fertilizer, am I correct? If I am, what kind do I need?
Thank you
The good hydrangea and the bad hydrangea...
There may be a parable here somewhere, but we’ll leave it for another day. You are possibly correct and definitely smart in considering the soil. Note we did not say fertilizer—but it also may be needed. You might consider having the soil tested. (If the plant is not thriving, delaying to get this done won’t hurt it any more.) Contact your local cooperative extension service (choose your state here: https://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services ) and inquire at the nearest one about a soil test. While you’re at it, you might get soil from the successful side tested, too. The results indicate the condition of the soil. However, it must be said that hydrangeas are not all that picky about soil. So …
How about sunlight? Some hydrangeas like sunlight, some prefer partial, and some do best in shade. Are sunlight conditions the same in both locations?
Do both locations get about the same amount of water/rain? Does the soil retail/drain water in similar fashion? Notice, here (above) under “CARE” that these plants need a fair amount of water when planted, in order to become established: https://www.almanac.com/plant/hydrangea
Finally, did you purchase the plants from a local nursery? Sometimes vendors will stand behind their products; in the case, replacing the plant (you might need a receipt of purchase). At minimum, you might take a picture and show the two plants to the vendor and see if they have any comment.
We hope this helps!
Is it too late?
Im in western washington and recently bought a house with a hydrangea. I would say they are a common variety. Is it to late in the year to prune my hydrangeas? And if so what should I do in spring to insure a summer bloom?
Repotting My Hydrangea
I Need Help Repotting My Hydrangea Indoors Thank You.
Panicle Hydrangea starter
We just purchased Pinacle Hydrangea starters. We live in Zone 3 area. Is it advisable to winter them in the house ?
Panicle Hydrangea
Hi Lily,
Panicle Hydrangeas are hardy to zone 3, meaning they will over winter outdoors just fine. No need to bring them indoors.
Rooted cuttings - now what?
I live in Massachusetts just north of Boston. I rooted some cuttings of a beautiful hydrangea macrophylla. The roots are still quite small. I am not sure what to do next. They seem too tender to plant in the ground. CAN I winter them over indoors? Thanks in a for any advice.
Overwintering indoors
You should be fine overwintering the cuttings indoors. If these are mere shoots, you might keep them in your living space. If they are small shrubs, in pots, put them in a cool, dark place where temps remain between 40 and 50 °F. Water them one time. Come spring, ease them into the outdoor light and temps.
Endless summer hydrangeas
I have two beautiful hydrangeas that have grown too s
Big for their space and are crowding out other plants. Can I prune or shape them to contain their size and spread?
Pruning Hydrangeas
Yes, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ respond well to pruning. It is best done right after they bloom, and a good practice is to cut back to the next emerging bud. Here is some more info on pruning hydrangeas: Pruning Hydrangea Varieties
Flowers faded
I planted 2 large hydrangeas in early July. They were loaded with huge bright pink flowers. Within a week the colors had faded to a pale dirty pinkinsh greenish off white. New growth is appearing and the flowers aren't a bit dry they are just faded. What should I do?
Potted Hydrangea in Zone 5 winter
Hello, I am new to gardening and really do not know some of the terms used in planting flowers such as "crown" and other various terms, but learning as I go along. I've done well with annuals when I plant seeds and let them go! But, I'm uneducated regarding perennial plants and care. I bought a fully bloomed Hydrangea at Walmart around the 1st of May. I replanted it in a very large pot on my back patio where it bloomed beautifully all through June. When I bought them they were a beautiful blue, but due to ph imbalance in the soil they ended up bright pink, which I didn't mind. When the "mopheads" died I dead-headed them in hopes of seeing them bloom again next spring. As of the end of August they are still thriving in the pot and growing well. The plant is approximately 15-inches tall with new bright green leaves appearing at the top regularly. I'm concerned now that winter is near, what to do with the plant when it gets cold here in SE Nebraska? There is no way for me to carry the plant inside because it's very heavy. Can I keep it safe through winter? Thank you!
Protecting Hydrangeas in Winter
Hello!
The best way to protect your potted hydrangea would be to put it in a sheltered area where it will not be hit by harsh wintry winds, but will still experience some colder temperatures through the winter. It is most likely a winter hardy variety, so it can survive the colder temperatures, but keeping it sheltered from wind will help ensure that it survives. You do not want it to get too warm on your patio, or else the plant may be tricked into thinking spring has arrived and it will grow prematurely.
If it gets cold enough, the plant may die back to the ground, but do not be too alarmed if this happens, as it should re-grow in the spring. Add an inch or two of organic mulch (available at garden centers and hardware stores) to the top of the pot to insulate the roots. Good luck!
Leaves Turning Yellow
Can't You Please Tell Me Why The Leaves of My Plant Are Turning Yellow & Haven't Bloom I'am Taking Care of Them Indoors. Thank You
hydrangea has yellow leaves
Yellow leaves on a hydrangea is usually Chlorosis. This can also result from a pH that is too high (soil is too alkaline), or it may actually be a lack of iron in the soil. Apply a chelated iron or iron sulphate to correct the situation. Ammonium sulphate fertilizer also helps to lower the pH and maintain the acidity of the soil. Apply about one half teaspoon each of iron sulphate and ammonium sulphate to one quart of water. Apply this to the plants about every two to three weeks. About every third fertilization use a complete houseplant fertilizer instead of the above combination.
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