Hydrangeas are total water lovers! They need plenty of moisture to keep those lush green leaves happy and those iconic blooms looking their best. If you want to keep your hydrangeas thriving, here’s the lowdown on how to master their watering routine. Follow these tips, and your garden will thank you.
How Much Water Do Hydrangeas Actually Need?
Fun fact: Botanists actually call this plant Hydrangea, a name rooted in Greek that basically translates to “water vessel.” That should give you a big hint about their personality—they are thirsty plants! To keep them happy, you need to make sure the soil stays consistently moist. When summer heat waves hit, don’t be surprised if you need to water your hydrangeas twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening).
However, there is a catch: while they love water, they hate “wet feet.” You need to make sure the water can drain away from the spot where your hydrangea is planted. If the water sits and pools, you’ll end up with root rot, which is bad news. If your soil feels soggy or starts to smell a bit funky/swampy, you’ll need to act fast to save the plant. To prevent this from the start, always use well-draining soil or add a drainage layer (like gravel or perlite) when planting.
Pro Tips for Watering Your Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are a bit picky about their soil chemistry—they generally prefer things on the acidic side. If you use water with a high lime (calcium) content, it can raise the pH level of your soil. This can cause your hydrangea’s colors to fade or even stunt its growth. To avoid this, try to use soft water or water with low lime content. If your tap water is “hard,” let it sit in a watering can for a couple of days before using it. Even better? Use clean rainwater from a rain barrel!
Quick Checklist for Watering:
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- On hot days, water in the morning and evening.
- Avoid getting too much water on the leaves.
Speaking of leaves—try to aim your watering can at the base of the plant rather than splashing the foliage. If the leaves get soaked and the sun comes out, those water droplets can act like tiny magnifying glasses, leading to leaf scorch. This results in those unsightly brown, burnt patches that nobody wants to see in their garden!
