Hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous plants that can brighten up any indoor space with their large, colorful blooms. While they are traditionally grown as outdoor plants, certain hydrangea varieties can also thrive indoors as houseplants. Caring for a hydrangea plant indoors does require some special considerations though.
In this comprehensive guide, I will cover everything you need to know about growing hydrangeas indoors, including choosing the right variety, providing the proper lighting, watering correctly, using the ideal soil, fertilizing, troubleshooting problems, and getting them to rebloom. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas in your home for years to come.
Choosing the Right Hydrangea Variety for Indoors
Not all hydrangeas are well-suited for growing inside. The best variety for indoor hydrangea care is Hydrangea macrophylla commonly known as bigleaf hydrangea or mophead hydrangea. This type features large, globe-shaped flower clusters and does well in containers making it a perfect choice for houseplants.
Some popular Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars that thrive indoors include
- Endless Summer: Offers big blue or pink blooms on strong, re-blooming plants.
- Let’s Dance: Reblooming type with excellent cold hardiness and color stability.
- Blushing Bride: Stunning double white blooms that turn pale pink.
- Merritt’s Supreme: Vibrant purple-blue mophead flowers.
When choosing your hydrangea, look for plants with healthy green foliage and avoid those with browning, yellowing, or wilting leaves.
Providing the Right Lighting Conditions
Lighting is crucial for indoor hydrangea care. Although hydrangeas are partially shade-loving plants outdoors, they need much brighter light when grown indoors Place your hydrangea houseplant in a south or east facing window where it will receive 4-6 hours of direct morning sunlight. Bright, indirect light throughout the rest of the day is ideal. Insufficient light will result in weaker, leggy growth and fewer blooms
Rotate the plant weekly so all sides get evenly illuminated. Just be sure to avoid hot afternoon sun streaming through west or south windows as this can scorch the leaves and flowers. Sheer curtains can help diffuse intense sunlight. Growing lights can also supplement natural lighting if needed.
Watering Your Indoor Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas prefer evenly moist soil at all times when actively growing and blooming. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings then soak thoroughly until excess drains from the bottom of the pot. Always pour off any water in the saucer so the roots don’t sit in standing water.
Drooping leaves are a sign of under-watering. Water immediately when this happens. Overwatering can lead to root rot, indicated by yellow, weak foliage. Reduce watering frequency if this occurs.
Use room temperature filtered, distilled, or rain water for the best results. Tap water with high mineral content can damage sensitive hydrangea blooms over time. Adding hydrating foliar sprays can help keep blossoms looking their best.
Using the Right Potting Mix
Hydrangeas prefer a rich, fertile, and fast-draining potting mix amended with compost or leaf mold. Aim for a soil pH between 5.2 and 5.5, which encourages vibrant blue flower colors in most varieties. An acidic mix specially formulated for hydrangeas or azaleas is ideal.
When potting or repotting, choose a container with drainage holes about 2 inches wider than the root ball. This allows enough room for growth without leaving excess soil to get waterlogged. Terra cotta pots help wick away moisture.
Fertilizing for Healthy Growth
Feed indoor hydrangeas weekly during the active growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Look for options formulated for acid-loving plants. Once blooms fade in fall, cut back to monthly fertilizing, then stop completely through winter dormancy.
If using slow release pellets or spikes, apply once in early spring as growth resumes. Supplementing with compost tea or seaweed extract provides micronutrients for strong roots and lush foliage.
Troubleshooting Common Hydrangea Problems
Growing hydrangeas indoors comes with some potential challenges. Here are solutions to a few common issues:
-
Wilting leaves: Increase watering frequency and check for root rot. Move plant away from heating vents or drafty areas.
-
Leaf edges turning brown: Indicates low humidity. Mist leaves daily or use a pebble tray. Avoid positioning near A/C vents.
-
Leaf spots/mold: Can be caused by overwatering or high humidity. Improve airflow and cut back on watering. Remove affected leaves.
-
Leggy growth: Not enough sun. Move plant to brighter location or supplement with grow lights. Prune back to shape.
-
Failure to bloom: Could be due to insufficient light, over-fertilization, or improper pruning.
Getting Hydrangeas to Rebloom Indoors
With proper care, certain hydrangea varieties can rebloom indoors year after year. Here’s how to encourage subsequent flowerings:
-
Provide bright, indirect light to initiate bud development. Supplemental lighting may be needed in winter.
-
Allow the plant to go dormant once fall blooms fade. Place in a cool room (50-55°F) with reduced watering for 6-8 weeks.
-
In late winter, move back to normal indoor temps and resume watering. Prune back spent blooms.
-
As new growth appears in spring, begin fertilizing weekly to fuel the next round of flowers.
Displaying Indoor Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas make stunning indoor displays. Here are some tips for showing them off to their best advantage:
-
Place in an entryway, on a front porch or patio, or anywhere their colors can be admired.
-
Group together for a bold mass of blooms. Combine colors for impact.
-
Allow mophead varieties to trail over the edges of shelves, mantels, or balcony railings.
-
Use as a centerpiece on dining or coffee tables.
-
Feature in large floor vases or planters to take advantage of mature size.
-
Pair with cool hues like blues, greens, and whites for a tranquil look.
-
Add interest by interplanting with trailing ivy, ferns, or flowering ornamental kale.
Enjoy the Beauty of Hydrangea Houseplants
When provided with the proper care, hydrangeas can add incredible elegance and spirit to indoor spaces. Their lush blossoms will energize any room with gorgeous color. Follow this guide for tips on lighting, watering, pruning, and troubleshooting to keep your hydrangeas thriving happily indoors. The efforts will be rewarded with their spectacular blooms for years of enjoyment.
Important tip #3 – Let them have proper light
Even though hydrangeas are known for being shade lovers they need bright, indirect light to thrive. Careful placement of your plant will be beneficial to its survival. Choose a spot with plenty of light to keep them blooming, but not direct heat that will burn the leaves and blooms. Morning sunlight and gentle light throughout the day will keep your hydrangea smiling.
Important tip #2 – Water correctly
Hydrangeas require proper drainage, so a drainage hole is a must in the pot that you choose. Proper drainage prevents root rot and other fungal diseases that are just icky and harmful to your beautiful hydrangea. It’s important to not overwater your hydrangea. You can test the soil’s moisture level 3 inches into the soil. If the soil feels semi-dry you can water it thoroughly until the water runs out the bottom. Your water schedule will depend on how quickly the soil dries out and if the plant is blooming. If you see your flower heads drooping, they need a drink! After it is done blooming you should water it less, but it should never dry out. Your hydrangea will love you if you use distilled water or rainwater instead of chlorinated city water.
Beginner’s Guide to Hydrangea Care | Lazy Gardener’s Guide to Hydrangeas
FAQ
How often should I water an indoor hydrangea?
-
Soil Moisture:Hydrangeas thrive in consistently moist soil, but not soggy.
-
Watering Frequency:Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil; if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
-
Watering Technique:Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, ensuring the roots are well-hydrated.
-
Plunge Bath:You can also immerse the entire pot in water (a “plunge bath”) to ensure thorough saturation, but make sure to remove any excess water after a while.
-
Avoid Overwatering:Overwatering can lead to root rot and wilting, so ensure the soil has good drainage.
-
Signs of Overwatering:Yellowing or browning leaves, or leaves that are soft and rotting, can indicate overwatering.
-
Signs of Underwatering:Wilting leaves, especially in the morning, can indicate the plant needs water.
-
Other Tips:
- Light: Place the hydrangea in a bright location, but not in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
- Humidity: Hydrangeas prefer higher humidity, so consider using a humidifier or placing the plant on a tray with pebbles and water.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize the hydrangea regularly with a balanced fertilizer, following the instructions on the packaging.
- Drainage: Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
- Light: Place the hydrangea in a bright location, but not in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
How long will potted hydrangeas last inside?
Frequently Asked Questions. Can I grow a potted hydrangea indoors? Hydrangeas make good temporary houseplants, but they usually only last for a few months before they begin to lose their attractiveness.
How do you take care of a potted hydrangea plant?
Hydrangeas grow well in dappled shade or morning sun. Protect the flower buds, if there are any. Water it occasionally in autumn and during the growing season if the soil runs dry. Even though it might look dead now, if there’s any life left in the plant, it should grow again in spring.
Where is the best place to put potted hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas should be grown in dappled sun or a shaded spot that only gets gentle morning sun. Keep the soil or potting mix moist with regular and thorough watering and apply an organic mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, over the root zone to help keep it moist.