Hydrangea (bigleaf hydrangea)
Hydrangea macrophylla
Deciduous flowering shrub with large mophead or lacecap blooms; flower color can vary with soil pH. Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Caution: Toxic to Pets
Toxicity: toxic
All parts contain cyanogenic glycosides; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea and weakness in pets and people. Seek veterinary or medical care if eaten.
🌱Care Requirements
Light
Place bigleaf hydrangeas in bright, indirect light. Outdoors choose morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled woodland light. Indoors, locate near an east or north-facing window with a sheer curtain to filter strong sun.
Water
Water deeply and regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Check the top 2–3 cm (1 inch) and water when it begins to dry. Increase frequency in heat and wind; reduce in cool, wet weather. Mulch to retain moisture and encourage deep roots.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity; dry indoor air can brown leaf edges. Raise humidity with pebble trays, grouping, regular misting, or a humidifier, especially during winter heating.
Temperature
Optimal 10–24°C (50–75°F). Tolerates brief lows to about −15°C (5°F) with protection; avoid prolonged heat above 30–35°C (86–95°F).
🔧Common Problems & Solutions
Wilting leaves or drooping stems
Cause: Underwatering, root stress, or rapid heat loss; sometimes overwatering causing root damage
Solution: Water deeply and evenly, check soil moisture below the surface, improve drainage if waterlogged, and mulch to conserve moisture.
Brown, scorched leaf edges
Cause: Too much direct afternoon sun or low humidity and inconsistent watering
Solution: Move to shadier spot, increase humidity, ensure regular watering and protect from hot winds.
Few or no flower buds / fails to bloom
Cause: Pruning at the wrong time, winter bud damage, or insufficient light and nutrients
Solution: Avoid heavy pruning in late summer/autumn; prune immediately after flowering, protect buds from extreme cold, and ensure balanced feeding and light.
Leaf spots, powdery mildew or fungal issues
Cause: Poor air circulation, prolonged leaf wetness and high humidity
Solution: Improve air flow, remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide when needed and space plants properly.
✂️How to Propagate Hydrangea (bigleaf hydrangea)
Stem cuttings: take 10–15 cm softwood cuttings in late spring/early summer, remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, plant in a moist mix and cover until rooted. Division: divide mature plants in early spring or autumn, keeping several shoots and a healthy root ball. Air-layering: wound a branch, apply rooting medium and wrap in moist sphagnum; root formation takes weeks to months. Seed propagation is slow and variable.
🌍Origin & Background
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Native to: Native to Japan (Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku) and nearby coastal regions.
Natural Habitat: Woodland understories and mountain slopes with rich, acidic, moisture-retentive soils. Typically found in dappled shade or locations with morning sun and protection from hot afternoon sun.
🗓Seasonal Care Guide
Winter
Mulch heavily around the root zone to insulate crowns; in very cold areas add burlap or extra mulch. Avoid heavy pruning to preserve flower buds for next season.
Spring
Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer after danger of hard frost passes; prune dead wood and shape immediately after flowering to protect next year’s blooms.
Summer
Keep soil consistently moist, water deeply in heat, refresh mulch, and protect from hot afternoon sun; deadhead spent flowers selectively for tidiness.
Fall
Reduce watering as growth slows, stop late fertilizing to harden plants for winter, and mulch roots to prevent freeze-thaw damage.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make hydrangea flowers blue or pink?
Flower color depends on soil pH: acidic soils (pH <6) promote blue blooms; alkaline soils (pH >7) give pinks. Aluminum availability also affects blue tones.
When should I prune bigleaf hydrangeas?
Prune immediately after flowering in summer. They bloom on old wood, so late pruning removes next year’s buds and reduces flowering.
How often should I water hydrangeas in summer?
Water deeply 2–4 times per week in hot weather for garden plants, more often for containers. Aim to keep soil consistently moist without waterlogging.
Can I grow hydrangeas in pots?
Yes. Use a large pot with free-draining yet moisture-retentive potting mix, water more frequently, and move to shelter in extreme cold or heat.
Why are my hydrangea leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing can signal overwatering, nutrient deficiencies (iron or magnesium), or poor drainage. Test soil and adjust watering and fertilization.
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Last updated: 11/7/2025