Unlike many other showy bloomers that crave the spotlight, hydrangeas actually prefer hanging out in the shade or partial shade. If they get blasted with too much direct sun, those gorgeous, oversized leaves can dry out fast. Here’s the scoop on how to spot hydrangea sunburn and what you can do to fix it.
How to Spot Sunburn
When the midday sun beats down on your hydrangea, the leaves lose moisture faster than the plant can keep up with. Before long, you’ll notice those leaves turning brown—that’s your classic sign of sunburn. The good news? The leaves themselves can bounce back relatively quickly. However, fresh new shoots aren’t quite as resilient; once they dry out, they won’t just pop back to life. That’s why you’ll want to act fast if you see things starting to crisp up.
When Does Sunburn Usually Happen?
Burned hydrangea leaves usually happen for a few specific reasons. The most common culprit is simply picking the wrong spot for your hydrangea. Keep in mind that these plants (aptly named *Hydrangea* because they love water!) really thrive in partial shade or even full shade. They’re much happier tucked away near a north-facing wall or under the canopy of a leafy tree.
Another common danger zone is moving indoor plants outside. If you’ve been overwintering potted hydrangeas indoors, you can’t just shock them with full sun right away. They need a “hardening off” period to get used to their new environment. Try putting them outside for just a few hours a day at first, then bringing them back in, gradually increasing their outdoor time so they can acclimate to the light and temperature.
Keep a close eye on your plants during these times:
- When choosing a permanent spot in the garden
- When moving potted plants outdoors for the season
- During those scorching, record-breaking heatwaves in late summer
How to Treat a Sunburned Hydrangea
While scorched leaves aren’t exactly pretty to look at, they usually aren’t a death sentence. If you catch it early, you can save your hydrangea and protect the new growth from drying out. Go ahead and prune away the brown, crispy leaves and spent blooms, making sure to leave the healthy, green parts of the plant intact. With a little TLC and some extra water, your hydrangea should start pushing out fresh new growth in no time!
