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5 Common Mistakes When Watering Hydrangeas

Gardeners are rightly proud of their hydrangeas, but certain watering mistakes should be avoided
Gardeners are rightly proud of their hydrangeas, but certain watering mistakes should be avoided Photo: Getty Images

February 9, 2025, 9:43 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Lush flowers in a wide variety of colors: Hydrangeas can be a gardener’s pride and joy. Hydrangeas need a lot of water, especially when it is very hot and dry. However, you can also make a few mistakes when watering them.

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From pink to purple to blue – hydrangeas can take on beautiful colors and bloom profusely. The prerequisite for this, however, is that they are watered correctly. Some mistakes can be made when watering hydrangeas, to the detriment of the plant. In the worst case, the plant can even die. myHOMEBOOK reveals five mistakes and how to avoid them.

1st Mistake: Too Much of a Good Thing

If you grow your hydrangea in a pot, you should make sure that you don’t water it too much. Hydrangeas do not tolerate waterlogging and quickly develop root rot. It is advisable to create a drainage system in the pot. This will ensure that the plant does not stand in water.

2nd Mistake: Not Watering the Hydrangea Enough on Hot Hays

Not only too much watering but also too little watering can be a mistake with hydrangeas. If it is particularly hot and dry, the hydrangea should be watered once or twice a day. If its leaves are already drooping at midday, it should be watered even more. Regardless of whether the plant is growing in a pot or in a bed – you should not water your hydrangea too little.

3rd Mistake: Watering with the Wrong Water

Hydrangeas are somewhat sensitive when it comes to correct watering. You should not use fresh tap water, as this is usually too calcareous. It is best to use rainwater. If you do not have the option of using rainwater, you can use stale tap water as an alternative.

4th Mistake: Watering Over the Leaves of Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas do not tolerate water being poured over the leaves or flowers. Wet leaves can encourage mildew, so you should always ensure that hydrangeas are only watered from the root.

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5th Mistake: Watering Hydrangeas at the Wrong Time of Day

Especially when the day seems to be very hot and dry, it is important to water the hydrangea at certain times of the day. It is advisable to reach for the watering can or garden hose in the morning or evening, as evaporation is not so high at these times.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

Topics #PriwattAmazon Garden plants
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