Hydrangeas are loved for their big, bright flowers that make any garden look lively. But flowers can fade, lose their shine, or change color all together. There are a few things you can check if your hydrangeas are losing their color.
Reasons Hydrangeas Lose Color
Here are the most common reasons hydrangea flowers and leaves may fade or change color
Too Much Sun
If your hydrangeas are getting too much direct sun, especially hot afternoon sun, the flowers can quickly lose their brilliance. Hydrangeas generally prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Intense sunlight causes moisture loss, which stresses the plant. Try relocating the plant or provide some shade protection.
Underwatering
Lack of water is another major reason hydrangea color fades. Drooping, wilting leaves and flowers indicate the plant needs more moisture. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant, soaking the soil deeply 2-3 times per week.
Overfertilizing
Too much nitrogen fertilizer leads to luscious green growth but fewer blooms Use a balanced fertilizer and avoid overapplying high-nitrogen formulations
Nutrient Deficiencies
Yellow or pale leaves can mean the plant lacks nitrogen or iron. Address nutrient deficiencies with soil testing and targeted fertilization.
Improper Soil pH
Soil pH affects bloom color and nutrient availability. Acidic soil below pH 5. 5 produces blue flowers, while alkaline soil above pH 6. 5 leads to pink. Adjust pH gradually if needed.
Diseases
It is possible for powdery mildew, fungal leaf spot, and other diseases to make flowers and leaves fade. Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage to reduce disease risk.
Pests
Sucking insects like aphids deprive plants of nutrients, causing fading. Check undersides of leaves and spray off pests with water. Insecticidal soap can help for heavy infestations.
Environmental Stress
Too much sun, reflected heat from pavement, or inadequate watering can stress plants, resulting in poorer color. Address environmental issues and proper care will restore vigor.
Caring for Hydrangeas
Proper care and siting are key to vibrant blooms. Here are tips for success:
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Plant in morning sun, afternoon shade.
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Enrich soil with compost and mulch to retain moisture.
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Water deeply 2-3 times per week, avoiding foliage.
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Test soil pH yearly and adjust gradually if needed.
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Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.
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Prune selectively in late winter, removing dead stems.
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Monitor for pests and diseases, treating as needed.
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Protect plants from harsh winter weather.
Hydrangeas will give you bright, long-lasting flowers if they get the right conditions to grow. For the healthiest blooms, pay attention to the soil, water, and sunlight. If you take good care of your hydrangea, it will look beautiful in your garden for many years.
FAQs about Hydrangeas Losing Color
Why are my hydrangea leaves turning brown?
Brown, dried leaf edges indicate underwatering. Hydrangeas need consistent moisture. Water thoroughly 2-3 times per week, especially in hot weather.
Why did my blue hydrangea turn pink?
Soil pH change is likely the cause. Blue flowers need acidic soil below pH 5.5. Adding lime raises pH, making flowers pink. Test soil yearly and adjust pH gradually if needed.
Why do hydrangea flowers fade so fast?
Intense sun, reflected heat, and inadequate water cause flowers to fade prematurely. Site plants in morning sun/afternoon shade and water deeply 2-3 times per week.
How can I make my hydrangea flowers brighter?
Boost color with proper sunlight, consistent watering, balanced fertility, and soil pH adjusted to the variety’s preference. Acidic soil intensifies blues, while alkaline soil brightens reds and pinks.
What causes yellow leaves on a hydrangea?
Yellow leaves can indicate nitrogen deficiency. Pale leaves with green veins may mean iron chlorosis. Address nutrient issues through soil testing and targeted fertilization.
Keeping hydrangeas beautiful is within your control. Assess sunlight, soil, moisture, and care for the healthiest, most colorful blooms to enjoy all season long. With a bit of attention to its needs, the hydrangea will reward you with vibrant flowers year after year.
Important Things To Know About Hydrangea Color Change
- When you plant a blue hydrangea, now is the best time to start treating the flowers to change or stay the same color.
- One application doesn’t do it. Two to three times a year, you should use a soil acidifier. Three uses work best in places where winters are warmer and growing seasons are longer.
- Hydrangeas can transform their color from season to season. You might not know what you’ll get until those flowers bloom.
- It’s easier to turn a pink hydrangea blue than a blue hydrangea pink.
- Can you paint white hydrangeas blue? You might think that white flowers, like Pee Gee and Oakleaf Hydrangeas, would be easy to color blue. Not so, and don’t bother trying.
- White hydrangeas are unaffected by soil pH. Many of them don’t change color, but some may turn green as the flowers age.
- It’s easiest for me to control the pH of the soil when I plant hydrangeas in pots. More on this below.
If you’re curious about how to keep pink hydrangea flowers pink, garden lime is what you’ll need to apply to raise the ph levels of the soil. Here are sources for organic lime from Esposa as well as Jobe’s.
How to Keep or Turn Hydrangeas Blue in Color
I changed the color of my client’s Endless Summer Hydrangea back to blue with a soil acidifier. This product is organic and derived from elemental sulfur and gypsum.
You can purchase the Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier Soil Amendment here.
I worked it into the ground about 4 inches deep in a circle that was halfway between the drip line and the plant’s base.
Be sure to follow the directions and use the recommended amount for the size of your hydrangea. You don’t want to overdo it hoping to get a deep blue hydrangea. Even though this is an organic element, you can easily apply too much and/or too often.
Note: You have to focus on the soil. Make sure the soil is moist when applying the acidifier, and water it well when you’re done.
The water is what works it in and makes it effective. If your garden isn’t drip or you don’t get consistent summer rains, water with the hose or a watering can as needed.
A layer of 2 to 3 inches of organic matter, like compost, around the root ball will feed it and help it keep its water. Hydrangeas aren’t drought-tolerant plants, so you should be watering them anyway!.
Applying this is a slow process regarding Hydrangea color change – don’t expect immediate results. However, the results are long-lasting, but the acidifier will need to be applied in the next year and in subsequent years to keep the color blue(ish). It’s not a one-season deal, and your hydrangea stays blue.
In coastal California, where it is mild, I did this three times a year because hydrangeas bloom and grow here for a long time. If you’re in a cold climate, you may only have to do it two times a year.
Some ask if coffee grounds, Epsom salt, rusty nails, or vinegar can change hydrangea color. I’ve never tried any of these, but the truth is, I don’t know how much, how often, or how effective any of them are.