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Happy Hydrangeas, Not Droopy Ones — Handle With Care and Save Your Stems

Ensuring they get the right amount of sunlight and paying close attention to soil quality are key factors. Find out more here!

By: THURSD. | 03-08-2025 | 5 min read
Flowers Outdoor Plants
Woman with pink hydrangeas

In the summer, hydrangea flowerheads are easily identifiable, resembling scoops of cotton candy plopped onto a bush. However, their cheery appearance and shape can fade as the flowers and branches wither and droop. What causes these popular flowers to slump, and what can be done about it? Learn how to restore their height with these tips.

Droopy Hydrangeas? Here's What Might Be Happening

Typically, this woody, deciduous shrub species prefers to be well-watered. Depending on where you plant your hydrangea, it may lose soil moisture quickly, causing its leaves and flowers to droop. One of the reasons they might be wilting is because they are a type of flower that is not drought-tolerant, as said by Barbara Fair, a certified arborist and associate professor and Landscape Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University.

 

Bright blue and purple hydrangeas
Photo: @gardenlife_olga

 

Hydrangeas require plenty of water as well as well-drained soil, so if you live in a hotter climate, it may be more difficult to monitor if the water evaporates quickly. A horticulturist and practice professor at Oregon State University Extension said that this is especially true if the plant is receiving too much sunlight. Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, especially if protected from the hot afternoon sun.

 

Girl looking at hydrangeas under shade
Photo: @lototskayalera

 

Though hydrangeas usually droop because they don't get enough water, it can also happen when they get too much water. In this case, you should pay attention to your soil and always focus on symptomology first. If you see the plant starting to wilt, ask yourself: Has it been raining? If your area is experiencing a prolonged drought, the obvious solution is that the hydrangea requires water.

 

Video by: @dorthekviststudio

 

If you are unsure whether there is too much or too little water, feel the soil to see how much moisture is present. Put your hands in the dirt to see if it's moist, and if you're serious about it, you can purchase a soil moisture meter.

 

A dog in between blue hydrangeas
A happy dog in between blue hydrangeas

 

How to Fix Hydrangeas That Are Wilting

Depending on the visibile symptoms your flowers are experiencing, try the following approaches with your hydrangea to see if these help to alleviate the drooping.

 

White hydrangea stems in a garden
Photo: @thepinkjardin

 

Water and Then Water Again

If your soil is very dry, it's time to soak the earth. Most people don’t water deeply enough. If you're the type of gardener who stands with a hose and moves it from plant to plant for a minute or two, that's not enough time to deeply soak the ground. You'll need at least 10 to 15 minutes to water the whole flower. It may take an hour or two for the plant to recover, but if it is still wilting, you did not water it thoroughly. If the plant remains wilted and the leaves lack a nice, green, glossy color, water it for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Rake the Leaves to Your Hydrangeas

If your hydrangea is generally happy but needs constant watering, there are longer-term solutions, such as leaf matter from deciduous trees, because they need moist, well-drained soils. For hydrangeas, the best soil is composted leaves (also known as leaf mulch or leaf mold) since they help hydrangeas retain moisture while also providing nutrients as they decompose. What is recommended by plant and flower experts to avoid dropping or fixing wilted hydrangeas is to water deeply to encourage good root growth. Mulch can also help hold soil moisture.

To Avoid Drooping, Don't Prune Older Branches

Flowering plants that are otherwise healthy and show no signs of wilting may only require minor maintenance. If any branches with large flowers are drooping, it's most likely that they were overpruned the previous season. If your hydrangea looks lopsided from too many petals, it's time to make a bouquet. Pruning out some of the flowers can help reduce drooping and stem breakage.

 

Video by: @claudiaaharrington

 

Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Hydrangeas From Dangling Down

Now that you understand why hydrangeas can bend and how to fix this issue, you'll want to prevent it from happening again if possible. Follow the expert's advice to keep your hydrangeas from stooping:

 

Blooming pink hydrangeas
Photo: @betsyjane_

 

 

A blonde woman in a background of hydrangeas
Photo: @mariepfisterer

 


Follow these tips, and you’ll find wilted hydrangeas left behind! Keep them perky and fresh with flowers that always look so grand.

 

Header image by: @hydrangea_world

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