Is your hydrangea drooping? Does your hydrangea look wilted? Don’t worry! Drooping hydrangeas is a common issue!
Trust me, I’ ‘ve encountered my fair share of sad-looking hydrangeas. Over my years of growing hydrangeas in my garden, I’ve learned how to fix drooping and wilting hydrangeas.
Below are tips on how to get those droopy hydrangeas back on their feet!
Check out my video below or keep on reading the article!
Reasons Why Hydrangeas Look Wilted and Have Droopy Leaves
When you see hydrangeas with droopy leaves, it’s your hydrangea telling you that something is wrong!
Hydrangeas can droop and wilt for several reasons. Here are some common reasons why hydrangeas may droop:
Lack of Water
Lack of water is the main reason why hydrangeas have droopy leaves. Hydrangeas require a consistent water supply. Especially during the hot summer months and if there is a heatwave!
If the soil becomes too dry, your hydrangeas leaves will look wilted as a response to conserve moisture.
Whenever I notice drooping hydrangea leaves, my first line of defense is a deep watering session. I make sure to saturate the soil around the hydrangea plant and give it a good soaking.
After that, I keep a regular watering schedule to maintain optimal moisture levels. Check your hydrangea the following day, if it’s still drooping and if you feel the soil is dry then water it again!
Make sure you are watering your hydrangeas regularly, especially during hot or dry periods.
Overwatering
Overwatering can also cause hydrangea to have droopy leaves. It may feel counterintuitive but it’s true!
Overwatering can cause root rot and prevent the roots from accessing oxygen, leading to wilting and drooping of the hydrangea plant.
Early on in my gardening days, I made the mistake of drowning my hydrangeas with excessive water, thinking it would make them thrive. But alas, it led to drooping foliage and a sad-looking plant.
Remember, hydrangeas prefer well-draining soil, so avoid turning your garden into a swimming pool. Strike a balance and ensure your hydrangeas have room to breathe!
Too Much Sun and Heat
Too much sun and heat can cause your hydrangeas to droop. Hydrangeas are sensitive to high temperatures especially when it’s combined with direct sunlight. Heat stress can cause your hydrangea plant to droop and wilt.
That’s why I want to emphasize the importance of selecting the right location when planting your hydrangea. Get the location right from the start and you won’t have this issue.
I find that hydrangeas planted in a very sunny location tend to droop when it’s really hot out. There is not much you can do but water your hydrangea and wait for it to bounce back.
You can always move your hydrangea to a less sunny location if the drooping leaves really bother you.
I have a hydrangea planted in a full sun location. I planted it there when I was new to gardening and didn’t know that hydrangeas prefer partial shade.
That hydrangea in particular has always been a perpetual challenge for me. It goes through cycles of drooping leaves, and I intervene by watering it, causing it to bounce back. But whenever I get busy or go on vacation, it starts drooping again! I’ve learned to accept this pattern and simply live with it.
Newly Transplanted Hydrangeas
If you recently planted or transplanted a hydrangea, it can experience shock, resulting in temporary drooping. The plant needs time to establish its roots in the new location.
Just make sure to water your newly transplanted hydrangea every day or every other day especially if it’s summer time. With adequate water, your hydrangea will recover over time.
Check out: Can I Transplant Hydrangeas in the Summer?
Anabelle Hydrangeas Drooping Leaves
I noticed that Anabelle hydrangeas are more prone to droopy leaves when compared to my big-leaf hydrangeas. In my experience, Anabelle hydrangeas seem to have higher watering requirements versus big leaf hydrangeas.
You can prevent the droopy leaves by watering your Anabelle hydrangeas more when you know there is a heatwave.
Big Leaf Hydrangeas Drooping Leaves
I also noticed my big leaf hydrangeas that are planted in a sunnier location will tend to droop right away whenever there is a heatwave or when it’s extremely hot. While my big leaf hydrangeas that are in a more shaded location will not be droopy.
I’m always more vigilant in watering the big leaf hydrangea that is planted in a sunny spot.
How to Revive Drooping Hydrangeas?
The best way to revive drooping hydrangeas is to water them well. This is assuming your drooping hydrangeas are a result of a lack of water or heat. Give it a good soaking and your hydrangea leaves should bounce back in no time!
However, if your drooping hydrangeas are a result of overwatering. The best way to revive your hydrangeas is to try to dry out the soil. See if you can increase air circulation with a fan. Otherwise, you can always transplant your hydrangea to a new spot with well-draining soil and that should help revive your drooping hydrangeas.
You May Also be Interested in these Hydrangea Care Tips
Step by Step: How to Easily Propagate Hydrangeas (video)
How to Deadhead Hydrangeas (video)
How to Make Hydrangeas Flower (video)
Beginner’s Guide: How to Care for your Hydrangea (video)