Skip to Content

Why Are My Hydrangeas Drooping? | 6 Shocking Reasons to Note!

Sharing is caring!

Hydrangeas are one of the most eye-catching plants having stunning, vibrant, and delicate blooms.

The site is an absolute treat to watch, where colorful Hydrangeas with loaded flowerheads add beauty and freshness to your lawns. The lovely pastel-colored flowerheads are serene and absolutely watchful until you see them in a compromising position.

Tilted or drooped stems, burnt flowers, worn-out colors, and a loss of the plant’s composure are enough to freak out plant lovers.

And these drooping Hydrangeas may be upsetting you as well, and that’s why you are here searching for “Why are my hydrangeas drooping?”

Don’t worry anymore!

This blog is the right place to address all your Hydrangea-related queries. We have all the information on the causes of drooping Hydrangea backed with solid solutions to revive them.

Keep reading till the end!

A Hydrangea plant drooping—why are my Hydrangeas drooping
Why are my Hydrangeas drooping? – Image via Reddit.

Why Are My Hydrangeas Drooping?

The good news is that Hydrangeas are not susceptible to pest and bacterial infestation.

Unlike other plants, where bacterial infections are the core reason for wilting or drooping, the situation with Hydrangeas is a little different.

Hydrangeas are most vulnerable to physical characteristics and environmental conditions like too much sunlight, drought, dehydration, insufficient light, acidic or sandy soil, and more.

1. Over Fertilization

Too much fertilizer can change the whole scenario.

It is often noticed that in excitement to provide the plants with the best care, nutrients, and protocol, the plants often suffer unseen conditions.

Instead of fostering the plant according to your intention, over-fertilization can lead your Hydrangeas in a different direction.

Large flowerheads may grow in a drive to establish your Hydrangeas. These flowerheads are heavy enough that they cause the tender stems to tilt.

This tilting portrays drooping!

The heavier flowerheads are developed due to too much fertilization and are thus developed way before the branches.

2. Too Much Sun

Hydrangeas are too responsive to the sun.

Continuous exposure to sunlight causes the stomata to stay open, paving the way for constant transpiration. Hydrangeas droop as a result of transpiration that happens due to extremely sunny conditions.

Hydrangeas aren’t sun lovers.

You don’t need to look any further for the leading causes if you have seen hydrangeas drooping in a hot area or where it’s too sunny.

3. Insufficient Light

The lighting protocol; maintaining Hydrangeas is challenging.

If it’s too sunny, the results are not appreciated.

The same goes for insufficient light; it doesn’t contribute to the plant’s health and can result in drooping.

The customarily recommended sunlight intake for Hydrangeas is 6–8 hours.

If your plant doesn’t receive ample sunlight or is placed in a shady place, it will droop.

4. Transplant Shock

Transplant shock is a phenomenon quite common in plants. It happens when you plan to move your rooted plant.

You arrange to move your Hydrangea because of many possible reasons.

  • Either because it is planted in a spot receiving a lot of sunlight or because it’s too shady.
  • Another reason can be one side of the Hydrangeas getting sun only.
  • Whatever your justification is for removing the plant, this planned movement can result in dropped Hydrangeas.

Why are my Hydrangeas drooping, you say? Learn well about transplant shock when moving Hydrangeas, or you may question.

5. Serious Drought Stress

Hydrangeas thrive in wet and humid conditions.

The name Hydrangeas itself bears the word “Hydra”, showing how vital water is for this plant. Insufficient water or extreme shortage of water can cause them to wilt instantly.

Although Hydrangeas are drought-tolerant, they can still experience drooping because of the stress caused by drought.

They can bear no-water conditions to an extent, but the results are devastating if prolonged.

6. Dry or Sandy Soil

The soil quality significantly contributes to the health of Hydrangeas.

Several factors are responsible for healthy, fresh plants, such as the soil in which they are planted. However, if you notice your Hydrangeas drooping, soil can be one of the reasons.

Dry or sandy soil cannot make Hydrangeas happy and thus initiate the wilting process.

Related article: How to Make the Best Potting Mix for Indoor Plants.

Ways to Fix Drooping Hydrangeas!

After learning about the causes responsible for wilting your Hydrangeas, this is an important section.

Learn to fix your ailing Hydrangeas with us.

Strengthen the Tender Sems

If the Hydrangeas are bowing under the pressure of large flowerheads, invest more time strengthening your stems.

  • Stop over-fertilizing the plants, as it encourages blooming.
  • The best way is to remove the dead wood from the plant’s base and prune it back to the first pair of flower buds.
  • When the new wood comes in the growing season, pinch it to 12 to 24 inches.
  • This strategy is to grow stout and sturdy branches enough to support the weight of the heavy flower heads.
  • This pruning technique helps you grow strong branches, ready to bear the weight of the big flowerheads.

Now, let’s talk about mulching.

Mulch Your Soil

Mulching is a great strategy and is seen working most of the time.

As mentioned earlier, Hydrangeas can experience dropping because of too much sun. The reason behind this drooping is the excessive water loss because of continuous exposure to the sun.

Mulching is the best technique to control this situation. It prevents water loss and keeps soil from drying out for the reasons mentioned above.

1–2 inches of organic mulch work excellently in this case.

Deep and Frequent Watering

Dehydration is one of the contributing factors to drooping Hydrangeas.

Frequent deep watering is mandatory if you want to see thriving and fresh Hydrangeas. The recommended catering protocols advise you to water four times a week for ten minutes.

A flowerhead in water jar—why are my Hydrangeas drooping?
Why are my Hydrangeas drooping? Fulfilling your Hydrangea’s watering needs is the most important thing you need to do—Image via Larisa Birta.

Pruning

Pruning is another successful technique to revive the stressed-out Hydrangeas.

Trimming your stems to the nearest flower buds’ lengths is better.

This works for drought-stressed, dehydrated Hydrangeas and in cases where the weak branches bow down under the flowerheads’ weight.

Related article: Is My Hydrangea Dead or Dormant? – Growgardener Blog

The Transplant Timings

Transplanting plants is a common gardening practice.

Plants sometimes suffer a transplant shock, which can degrade the plant’s health, but it is not only the transplantation that upsets the plant.

If we specifically talk about Hydrangeas, the transplant time should be considered crucially. Wait until the end of September to avoid transplant shock.

But environmental factors contribute to the process as well.

Avoid transplanting Hydrangeas in the summer, as summer is not the best and recommended time. If you still go for it, get ready to see drooping Hydrangeas.

Essential Considerations for Healthy Hydrangeas!

Become a pro at gardening by following our tips.

As already discussed, Hydrangeas are prone to drooping; these tips can help you grow fresh, vivid, and healthy Hydrangeas.

This blog section deals with information and considerations you must consider while planting Hydrangeas.

Varieties of Hydrangeas Capable of Withstanding the Environmental Stress

This is an excellent tip for enthusiastic gardeners.

The great thing about Hydrangeas is the availability of several vanities.

And the cherry on top is the sustainability of a few of those varieties to handle the environmental stresses with grace.

Smooth Hydrangeas and Oakleaf Hydrangeas are known to handle more of the sun than other varieties.

However, the best of all that bravely takes the scorching sun is Panicle Hydrangeas. Pinnacle Hydrangeas requires a bath for 6 hours in the sun to bloom perfectly.

Appropriate Space for Hydrangeas to Prevent Drooping

Place or plant your Hydrangeas in a spot where they receive filtered sun

As we know, Hydrangeas are sensitive to too much sun; you should plant them in a relatively shady place receiving good and filtered sunlight.

Checking the Soil Moisture

By far, you must have learned the importance of water for Hydrangeas.

Since it is an inevitable factor, a thorough check is necessary to maintain the plant’s stature.

A simple soil water test can give you an idea of the moisture level. Check the moisture level by inserting your finger up to 1 to 2 inches. If you feel the soil is hard or dry, generously water the plant.

Signs Not to Ignore!

Here we have enlisted a few things that you should never ignore if you are a Hydrangeas lover, and never compromise on their look and health.

Crispy Foliage

Dehydrated Hydrangeas can be detected with crispy and brown foliage.

This clearly indicates water deficiency and calls for instant watering. However, please do not flood the Hydrangeas roots with water, leaving them soaked in water (waterlogged).

Conversely, thoroughly water the plant for a few minutes and wait until the water is drained out of the drainage holes.

Dry, Crusty Soil

You might come across fresh-looking, healthy Hydrangeas, which is pretty fun.

The real twist is when they remain in the same cracked and dry soil. This cracked and dry soil indicates water deficiency, which will soon affect your fresh plants.

So, as soon as you observe the dry and crusty soil, water the plant to meet the water shortage and avoid drooping.

Reviving Drooping Hydrangeas!

Why are my Hydrangeas drooping, you asked?

I hope that’s no longer a curiosity now. Since we have covered all the fine details on Hydrangeas drooping, we are moving further.

This article is the ultimate guide to making you a pro at growing Hydrangeas.

To revive your drooping Hydrangeas, follow the following steps.

  • Water your plant generously for some time. The amount of water should be generous enough to soak the roots thoroughly.
  • Use pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
  • Add an inch of mulch to your soil around the plants.
  • Well-rotted manure, leaf mold, or compost are the best mulching options. Mulch is exceptionally good at retaining soil moisture, thus providing Hydrangeas with the essential requirement to revitalize.
  • When planted under the canopy of deep-rooted trees, Hydrangeas grow the best. To provide them with such a home, transplanting Hydrangeas is an excellent option.

That’s all for today!

Why are my Hydrangeas drooping? | How to Prop up Floppy Hydrangeas – YouTube

Conclusion

Hydrangeas are great to grow!

They add colors and efficacy to your garden.

However, they are a bit tricky regarding their growth and survival. Drooping is a common observation in Hydrangeas. This blog is a complete guide, and an answer to “Why are my hydrangeas drooping?” This read must have answered your queries comprehensively.

Read each section to learn about drooping hydrangeas, ways to revive them, and more.

Regards,
Happy planting!