9 Common Problems with Hydrangeas and How to Fix Them

From time to time, you may run into a problem with your hydrangeas. Trust us, it can happen to the best of us. But, if you’re new to hydrangeas, encountering one of these problems can feel devastating. Fear not gardening friends. For every problem you run into with hydrangeas, there is usually a solution. 

In today’s guide, we break down 9 common problems you may encounter while growing hydrangeas. We also give you trusted tips and tricks on how to fix them. So, if you have found yourself stumped on how to save your hydrangeas, you’ve come to the right place! Pull up a chair, and let’s get your hydrangeas back on track!

Drooping leaves

Seeing your hydrangea’s leaves begin to droop may cause panic. The root cause is often inconsistent watering or poor placement in the garden. When hydrangeas do not get enough water, they will go into stress. The more stressed they are, their leaves will begin to droop. This problem is most visible in the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest. 

Top two ways to avoid drooping leaves

There are two ways to avoid drooping leaves. Since hydrangeas like shelter from intense sun, be sure to plant them in partial shade. Or, choose an area that only gets morning sun. Also, during periods of drought, water your hydrangea regularly. Always water from below. Avoid spraying water directly on the leaves. If you have a newly planted hydrangea, it needs more water than an established plant. Once established, watering regularly will help produce blooms.

Few or no blooms

If your hydrangea is not putting on a spectacular display, there may be an easy solution. There are usually two main causes for this problem. The first is pruning at the wrong time. If you prune your hydrangea at the wrong time, you may have unfortunately pruned off this year’s blooms. It is best to prune old wood hydrangeas shortly after they have finished blooming. If you accidentally pruned off this year’s blooms, do not panic. They will come back next year, you just won’t be enjoying them this year. 

Problem with nitrogen

The second cause of few or no blooms is too much nitrogen. If the nitrogen content of your soil is too high, you will get a lot of leaves and very few blooms. Look for a blend of fertilizer where the phosphorus level is higher than nitrogen. If you fertilize your lawn and it’s near your hydrangeas, that could be another reason why you have few or no blooms. Lawn fertilizer raises the nitrogen level of the soil which will then impact your hydrangeas if they are planted close by. 

Flowerheads turning brown

Flowerheads can turn brown for two reasons. The first is that they are spent signaling the end of the current growing season. However, if you notice them turning brown well before the end of the season, you may have to look at your watering. Hydrangeas need regular watering and more during periods of drought. This will help to relieve stress on your plant and keep it healthy.

Yellowed leaves

Still on the topic of hydrangeas leaves, they can sometimes turn yellow. This is a fairly common issue with hydrangeas, but one that is easily solved. There are three main reasons why a hydrangea’s leaves could suddenly turn yellow which include overwatering, undernourished, and pH level of the soil.  

Overwatering

A telltale sign that a plant is being overwatered is the appearance of yellowed leaves. Check first to see if the soil you planted in has proper drainage. If it is not draining away, your plant might be receiving too much water. Too much water can stress the plant or cause root rot.

Undernourished

Oftentimes, yellowed leaves on a hydrangea signals a lack of nutrients in the soil. It might be nitrogen that is lacking or iron too. An iron deficiency usually results in yellowed leaves with green veins.

pH level of the soil

Your soil’s pH level might be too high causing the leaves to turn yellow. This might happen because your soil is alkaline. It might also happen if you were adding too much lime to your garden to change the colour of your hydrangea. In either case, getting a soil test done and amending is your best bet.

Burnt or browned edges of leaves

If one day you come to your garden and your hydrangea’s leaves appear burnt, it may be a fertilizer burn. When too much fertilizer is applied, it can cause damage to the roots. The result is leaves that start to look crispy and burnt on the edges. Always follow directions to properly apply fertilizer to your trees and shrubs. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and use less.

Powdery Mildew

Sometimes you may see a powdery, fuzzy looking growth on your hydrangea leaves. The biggest culprit is powdery mildew. This is a type of fungal infection. It is  usually associated with plants in the shade. Powdery mildew thrives in moist conditions. Overwatering and excess plant matter like weeds can make matters worse. If you notice this on your plants, tackle the problem right away. Powdery mildew can spread quite quickly. Prune off any infected leaves and dispose of them. DO NOT throw them into your compost or it will infect the soil.

Brown spotting on leaves

If you notice brown circle spots on the leaves of your hydrangea, it may be caused by a fungal infection. Hydrangeas grow in the shade where it is moist. Because of this, they are more susceptible to fungal infections. Funguses can travel to the leaves by spores from excess plant matter like weeds. Or, they can appear from splashing water onto the leaves of hydrangeas. Keep the area around your hydrangeas free from excess plant matter. Also, try not to splash water from the ground onto the leaves when watering.  

Holes in the leaves

Holes appearing in the leaves of your hydrangeas could be from Japanese beetles or caterpillars. These holes will not harm the plant, it just makes it look unattractive. You can hand pick them off or treat with a product of your choice. 

Flowers are smaller than expected

If you were expecting large attractive blooms and only got small ones, there may be a simple answer to this. It is either from too little sunlight, an issue with fertilizer, or improper watering. Be sure to check your fertilizer to make sure that it has a good level of phosphorus. This is necessary to produce beautiful blooms. Hydrangeas do need some sunlight to produce blooms. But, most prefer the shelter of afternoon shade. When first planted, hydrangeas need a lot of water. They also need some during periods of drought. Keep to a proper watering schedule, and you will not have to worry about the blooms. 

Final thoughts hydrangea issues and how to fix them

It’s easy to think that all is lost when your hydrangea starts to look sickly. But, cheer up gardening friends. There is usually a simple explanation and solution. By following the tips and tricks in today’s guide, you will be well on your way to reviving your plants. Have a problem with your hydrangeas that was not featured in today’s guide? Reach out to us on our socials. We are always happy to help out. Until next time gardening friends, take each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. Happy gardening everyone!