Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers that are well-liked for their versatility. They are well known for their beautifully colored blooms.
One interesting thing is that they can bloom in several colors like Pink, Purple, and Red colors and even you can change from one to another. These colors depend on the nature of Soil pH.
In this post, I will discuss in depth making Hydrangeas Blue, Pink, Purple, and Many more queries.
Let’s get started!
What do I add to the soil to make hydrangeas blue?
Hydrangeas bloom with blue flowers on acidic soil with a pH of 5.5. If you want to make your hydrangeas turn blue, then the best solution is to add acidity to their soil. To make the acidic you may add a certain amount of coffee crumbs, compost, and Vinegar. This will eventually help in changing the color of your hydrangeas and will turn them blue.
The color of the flower depends mostly on what is put in the soil. As plants take their nutrients from the soil, their color will also be dependent on the nutrients they intake from their soil.
Plants flourishing in more alkaline conditions produce pinker flowers. While some types stay pink even at neutral pH, others begin to display glimpses of blue in the form of exquisite lavender tones.
How do you make hydrangeas Pink?
It’s actually pretty simple. The key is to change the pH of the soil. Hydrangeas are very sensitive to pH levels and will change color based on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
To make hydrangeas pink, you need to make the soil more alkaline(Alkalinity starts when the pH range is greater than 7).
This can be done in a few different ways.
1. Using an alkaline-based fertilizer: Another way to make hydrangeas pink is to use an alkaline-based fertilizer. These can be found at most garden centers or online. Be sure to follow the directions on the package and only apply the fertilizer to wet soil.
2. Adding Lime to the Soil: Agricultural Lime is a great Alkaline material easily available from the market. Adding Lime to Hydrangea’s soil can easily increase your soil’s Alkalinity and help it to get your desired color Pink for your Hydrangea.
The change in color of the hydrangea depends completely on the soil type. By altering the make-up of your garden’s soil, you can transform your differently colored hydrangeas into pink ones.
How to Make Hydrangeas Purple?
Purple hydrangeas are always a beautiful sight. When the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7, the blossoms change color to a deep purple or bluish-pink.
Soil pH can be reduced by applying garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate. When the pH needs to be adjusted, ground lime is used.
Take another soil pH reading after applying the product to ensure the pH is where you want it.
How to make Hydrangeas White?
White Hydrangeas are a variety that grows white by itself. It cannot change to any other colors. Also, any different colored Hydrangeas cannot change their color to white.
So, if you want a white Hydrangea, then you need to buy a White Hydrangea directly from the nursery.
Will baking soda change the color of Hydrangeas?
Baking soda(Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃) helps in changing the color of your hydrangea because it is a very alkaline chemical Compound. It can change the color of Hydrangea to Pink or Red by increasing the Alkalinity of the Soil.
When sprinkled around your hydrangea, baking soda will help with water retention, root growth, fungus control, and leaf development.
To increase the pH level and increase the alkalinity of the Hydrangeas soil, baking soda can be added.
If the soil pH is at least 6.5, it will bloom pink or red. While at lower pH values, blue or purple flowers will open.
Will Vinegar turn hydrangeas blue?
Vinegar contains a defined mixture of acetic acid and water. Since vinegar has a low pH value, it helps in changing the color of the flower from pink to blue as it changes the ph level of the soil.
Vinegar found in most homes has a pH of about 2.4, while a neutral pH value is 7 (quite acidic).
If you water the soil with vinegar-diluted water, the pH will drop, and the hydrangea flowers will take on a new hue.
The soil will become more acidic due to this method, but only temporarily and you need to maintain it regularly to keep the soil at a constant pH.
Does Epsom salt turn hydrangeas blue?
Epsom salt gets its name from a bitter, salty spring in Epsom, England, whose water naturally includes magnesium sulfate in solution and has been used medicinally for centuries.
The term “salt” refers to the byproduct of an acid and a base reaction in chemistry.
The combination of sodium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid produces sodium chloride, also known as table salt—Epsom salt forms when metallic magnesium and sulfuric acid combine.
The salt used to cure and store foods like salt cod and Virginia ham is particularly hydrophilic, drawing moisture out of the food and helping it last longer. Epsom salt does not attract water from its surroundings since it is already saturated.
When Epsom salt dissolves in water, its ions do not affect the soil’s pH. A hydrangea’s blue hue comes from aluminum dissolved in acidic soil, so adding Epsom salt won’t make your plants produce purple blooms.
Two teaspoons of alum (aluminum sulfate) per plant will have the acidifying effect you seek.
Will coffee grounds turn hydrangeas blue?
A change in soil color can be achieved by scattering used coffee grounds on top, although this practice can also lead to mold growth.
Instead of scattering the grounds in the air, try burying them. Coffee grounds won’t turn white hydrangeas blue, but they will prevent green ones from blooming.
Should I Plant Hydrangeas in the Sun or Shade to Get Different Colors?
When it comes to getting different colors in hydrangeas, the strategic placement of the plants is crucial. Hydrangeas have a fascinating ability to change colors based on soil pH and light exposure.
If you desire vibrant shades of blue or purple, planting hydrangeas in acidic soil and partial shade is recommended. On the other hand, for pink or red blooms, hydrangeas thrive in alkaline soil and bright sunlight.
By understanding the science behind hydrangeas’ reaction to their environment, you can create a mesmerizing display of colors in your garden. Consider hydrangeas sun shade explained for stunning results.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude the post on Hydrangea’s color with blue!
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Whatever you do to change the soil’s composition will need to be done regularly if you want the results to last. If, for instance, your plants bloomed blue last year, but you’d prefer pink this year, you’ll need to make the same soil adjustments each time you want pink blooms.
- The chemistry of your soil can change the color of the blooms. So if you feel that your flower will remain in its usual color throughout then that doesn’t mean the same. Regardless of whether the name of the variety includes the word blue or the word pink, either color can result from the soil in which they are planted.
- When you buy a hydrangea from a nursery, it may already bloom, and the flowers may be bright pink or blue. However, this doesn’t mean the flowers will stay the same color once the plant is in your garden. The soil alkalinity or acidity is responsible for the hue displayed in the nursery. The soil will probably be somewhat different when you return it to your house and plant it in your garden.
So, you have learned to change the colors of Hydrangea. However, to ensure that it continues to thrive and grow, it’s crucial to know how to care for hydrangeas properly. Check out this care guide and keep them healthy and vibrant.
I hope you got good detailed information on this topic and found it helpful.