Hydrangeas are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Their fragrant, long-lasting flowers and dense foliage make this plant a wonderful addition to any home. Hydrangeas are also one of the most popular houseplants, with more than 300 cultivars and hybrids available. These beautiful plants offer a striking sight indoors and out, and they’re almost maintenance-free.
Hydrangeas are also one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Even if you’re not much of a gardener, you can grow hydrangeas as your go-to houseplant. They require little maintenance, and they’re also one of the most fragrant houseplants. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about caring for hydrangeas. Follow these steps to get started with your own hydrangeas.
What is Hydrangea?
In the wild, hydrangeas are typically found in temperate climates, such as parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia. These plants are commonly found in woodlands, forest edges, and along small streams.
But hydrangeas also grow in arid regions and can grow in a mini-climate indoors. In fact, hydrangeas can survive on just 10 inches of potting soil. They are adaptable plants that can thrive in just about any indoor environment.
Hydrangea’s botanical name is ‘Hydrangea macrophylla,’ and they are a large genus of more than 12 species in the subfamily Hydrangeaceae. The genus hydrangea is more closely related to camellias and hibiscus than it is to other flowers.
How to Grow Hydrangea
There are many ways to grow hydrangeas. The key to success is to keep the plant in bright light but with low humidity. Hydrangeas prefer humid conditions, but they can tolerate lower-than-normal levels of humidity without significant damage.
When choosing a location for your hydrangea plant, make sure that it receives bright but indirect light. Avoid placing the plant in an area that receives direct sunlight, as it can scorch the foliage, leaving brown patches on the leaves.
Placing your hydrangea near a north-facing window is an ideal location. This allows your hydrangea plant to soak up plenty of natural light while protecting it from scorching rays.
Tips for Growing Hydrangea
Caring for hydrangeas is very easy, but there are a few guidelines that you should follow to ensure success. Generally speaking, a hydrangea plant prefers warmth. If there’s not enough air circulating around your plant, it could be experiencing root rot, which can kill the plant. To keep your hydrangea happy and healthy, aim to keep the air temperature above 65 degrees F, and aim to keep the soil temperature at least 50 degrees F above the air temperature.
Before we get into hydrangea’s specific growing requirements, let’s quickly discuss watering. Keep in mind that hydrangeas prefer humid, but not soggy, conditions. Too much water and your hydrangea will be unhappy.
To avoid drowning your hydrangeas, aim to water them when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. This will prevent excess water from entering the drainage hole, which can cause root rot. If your hydrangeas are currently experiencing root rot, you should refrain from watering the plant until the soil feels slightly dry.
What are the Different Types of Hydrangea?
Hydrangeas come in many different varieties and cultivars. Some of the most popular hydrangea cultivars include ‘Blue Boy,’ ‘Blue Girl,’ ‘Blue Mist,’ ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘Blueberry,’ ‘Dazzle,’ ‘Dancer,’ ‘Fairytale,’ ‘Icicles,’ ‘Lilac Beauty,’ ‘Long Line,’ ‘Meadow Mist,’ ‘Mountain Mist,’ ‘Navy Blue,’ ‘Navy Blue Me,’ ‘Navy Blue Me Deluxe,’ ‘Pixie,’ ‘Purple Beauty,’ ‘Rust,’ ‘Sapphire Blue,’ ‘Screaming Blue,’ ‘Silver Line,’ ‘Sparkle,’ ‘Teal Blue,’ ‘Velvet,’ ‘Velvet Blue,’ and ‘White.’
The hydrangea plant variety you choose will largely depend on your desired flowering time. Some varieties bloom early in summer while others bloom later in the season.
Final Words: Growing Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. These fragrant, long-lasting flowers and dense foliage make this plant a wonderful addition to any home. Hydrangeas are also one of the most popular houseplants, with more than 300 cultivars and hybrids available. These beautiful plants offer a striking sight indoors and out, and they’re almost maintenance-free.
Hydrangeas are also one of the easiest plants to grow. Even if you’re not much of a gardener, you can grow hydrangeas as your go-to houseplant. They require little maintenance, and they’re also one of the most fragrant houseplants. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about caring for hydrangeas. Follow these steps to get started with your own hydrangeas.