This Simple Trick Can Bring a Faded Hydrangea Back to Life Overnight

Hydrangeas tend to fade and wilt in the summer, but don’t consider it a lost cause just yet. You can bring those flowers back to its bright and cheery self with one main trick—and it doesn’t involve watering them more. Hydrangeas aren’t big fans of the heat and sun, so you’ll likely see them bounce back in the evenings when the weather cools down.

Of course, there’s more to it than that. We asked gardening experts for their main tricks and tips on how to bring faded hydrangeas back to life in no time.

The Trick to Bring Back Faded Hydrangeas

To bring your faded hydrangea back to life, set up a shade cloth or move or replant them in a more covered spot to give the plant some relief.

“Hydrangea are shade plants, and this also helps with water retention,” says plant expert Amy McCord. “A shade cloth will work wonders, and setting up a drip hose can keep the plant thriving even in hotter months.”

It’s a common misconception that most hydrangea plants love full sun; many of them only want partial sun.

“If possible, have them planted in place with partial sun,” say plant pro David Angelov. “Ideally, you start from that, rather than remedy with a band-aid.”

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Why Your Hydrangeas Are Fading

Experts point out that hydrangeas can fade due to three main factors.

First, Angelov says the heat itself can make the hydrangea wilt and suggests waiting it out until the evening when the temperature goes down.

“The leaves start to wilt, and they bounce back in the evening without any intervention,” Angelov says.

Additionally, the plant doesn’t like weather hotter than 80°F, and its leaves will wilt due to the heat.

“If the leaves are turning brown or losing their flowers very easily, that’s different,” Angelov says. “But generally, if the leaves are just wilting, then it’s the heat.”

Lastly, hydrangeas need a lot of water and do not like to be even slightly dehydrated.

“This is the most common reason, as they are very thirsty plants and cannot withstand a several-day dry out,” McCord says.

How to Care for Hydrangeas in Intense Heat

Angelov and McCord have several tips for caring for hydrangeas in the sweltering summer weather. When watering them, McCord advises giving the plant hydration at the bottom, where the plant meets the soil.

“It’s best to give them a long, slow drink at the base of the plant, as they are shallow-rooted,” she says. “Although they wilt quickly, they can bounce back quickly.”

However, Angelov warns against giving the usually thirsty flower too much hydration, because overwatering can be just as fatal.

McCord also suggests removing any old blooms.

“Hydrangeas take a lot of resources, so aging blooms pull hydration away from new growth and blooms,” she says.

4 Other Tips for Hydrangea Care

Angelov and McCord had these other tips for caring for hydrangeas in the summer.

• Increase acidity. Hydrangeas are pH sensitive, and more acidity will make their flower colors more vibrant.
• Use well-draining soil. This will help prevent root rot in the plant.
• Prune at the right time. Both experts emphasized double-checking when you should prune your specific variety of hydrangeas during the year. Each type is different.
• Compost at the beginning of the season. Give the plant a top dressing of compost each year so it will have the nutrients to produce flowers during the season.