Hydrangea is one of the thirsty plants that quickly let its leaves droop and dry out if there is insufficient water supply. If you have forgotten to water for several days, the hydrangea often presents a miserable picture: it leaves the leaves drooping or has even lost some of the foliage. However, this is no reason to throw away the plant, because you can often still save the hydrangea.
What to do if a hydrangea has dried up?
A dried-out hydrangea can be saved by watering it thoroughly, for example by submerging a pot in water or swirling liberally for outdoor plants. Regular watering and fertilizing with special fertilizer supports the formation of new leaves and buds. Dead plant parts should be removed.
Check the condition of the hydrangea
First look closely at the hydrangea:
- Are all the leaves actually dried out and breaking apart with a crunch?
- Are the branches also dry and can be broken off without resistance?
- Can you still find lush greenery somewhere?
If the plant has not completely dried out, it is not too late. Hydrangeas usually recover quickly and, if the right measures are taken, they sprout again after just a few days.
Water the plant thoroughly
If the hydrangea has dried out significantly, you must water it thoroughly immediately. Simply watering is no longer enough.
Drop hydrangeas in a pot into a bucket filled with water until no more bubbles appear. Outdoor hydrangeas are washed thoroughly so that the moisture can penetrate into the deeper layers of the earth.
Provide the hydrangea with water regularly over the next few days. Potted plants may even need to be watered several times a day.
Be sure to tip away any water remaining in the saucer, because even a dried hydrangea is sensitive to waterlogging. The roots of the already weakened plant quickly begin to rot, which would mean the final death of the hydrangea.
The first green appears
You can often see new buds appearing on the still-living branches just two days after these rescue attempts. Even dried branches often form fresh green or thickening leaf buds in the lower area.
Now is the right time to cut off all the dead parts of the plant with clean and sharp secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon).
Flowers only the following year
If the hydrangea is almost completely dry, you will probably have to do without flowers this season. The flower umbels are located at the tips of the shoots and therefore dry out very quickly. However, with good care, the hydrangea will bloom profusely again next year.
Tips & Tricks
A dry hydrangea requires a lot of strength to produce fresh leaves. Therefore, fertilize the plant regularly with hydrangea, azalea or rododendron fertilizer.
