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Hydrangea, better known by its German name Hortensie, is one of the classic garden shrubs. With a lush growth and imposing, hemispherical umbels of flowers, they have long been an eye-catcher in countless ornamental gardens. For some time now, hobby gardeners have been increasingly using this decorative effect as a houseplant for their living spaces. Because with the right care, the hydrangea is in fact also well suited to being kept in a bucket and, under optimal conditions, will flower for several weeks.
Hydrangea in the pot
It is obvious that keeping a plant in a pot offers less leeway in terms of development and expansion, but of course also less available soil, nutrients and water. In addition, the simple "movability" of a plant in the tub easily means that the location - consciously or unconsciously - is changed and possibly influenced in terms of its suitability.
It is all the more important to be aware of the needs of a hydrangea in the living room in order to offer it the best possible conditions despite, or precisely because of, its limited possibilities.
pot
In order for the hydrangea to show off its magnificent blossoms in the room, the pot must also be right. You should pay attention to the following:
- Choose pot size depending on the size of the plant
- At least 3-5 centimeters of soil between the root ball and the pot on all sides as a storage mass for water and nutrients
- Repot plants regularly into larger containers
- if there is no soil, there is a lack of moisture storage
- Provide a drainage layer of clay granulate or drainage mat on the bottom of the pot
- without a drainage layer there is a risk of waterlogging and root rot
Earth
The right pot is useless without the right substrate. Therefore, pay attention to the following points when choosing the soil:
- Avoid classic potting soil because the pH value is too high
- Rhododendron or azalea soil with an acidic soil environment and good water storage capacity is a good substrate
- Even mixed substrate for Hydrangea in the tub is unsuitable, as the pH value can hardly be kept constant over the long term
tip: Acidic soil is a prerequisite, especially for blue-flowering hydrangeas.
location
The advantage of planting in tubs is the flexibility in choosing a location. The right location for the hydrangea in the room is as follows:
- Bright and with plenty of daylight
- Ideally in partial shade
- Optimal east and west side
- avoid full sun in southern exposure
- bright northern locations quite possible
- in full sunlight in summer with suitable shading options
- without shade there is a risk of burning or drying out of plants and soil
- Well ventilated to ventilate excess moisture immediately after watering
- if there is insufficient ventilation, there is a risk of mold growing in the root area
- Avoid stagnant heat and subsequent excessive dehydration of the plant in summer
pour
If the basic framework conditions are right, it is important to set up the supply of the hydrangea correctly. Because the best location in the ideal pot with suitable soil is of little use if the plant suffers from a lack of nutrients and water.
Not least because of its lush growth and magnificent flowers, Hydrangea has one intensive need for water. At the same time, however, she feels just as uncomfortable when it is waterlogged as when it is dry. Therefore, the lavish and at the same time moderate gift of water is of particular importance:
- If kept indoors, water intensively twice a week
- Alternatively: submerge the root ball in the bucket of water and then let it drain well
- Avoid excessively calcareous water as limescale adversely affects pH and eventually leads to yellow, chlorotic leaves
- Alternatively water with rainwater or filtered water
danger: If the hydrangea migrates to the balcony during the warm summer months, the water requirement of the plant increases and has to be compensated for by additional watering. The lush flowers and numerous leaves evaporate even more water outdoors than they already give off when kept indoors.
Fertilize
The experienced hobby gardener has various options for an optimally balanced supply of nutrients. First of all, the market offers chemical products that contain all the necessary substances for good growth and at the same time a long and intensive flowering. Common names here are hydrangea fertilizer, azalea fertilizer or rhododendron fertilizer. Special blends to promote blue coloration in blue flowering specimens are also available. These fertilizers are added to the irrigation water regularly, usually every two weeks.
But there is also the possibility to provide the necessary food for Hydrangea with natural alternatives:
- Spread leaf or coniferous compost thinly on the potting soil to supply nitrogen and acid, to avoid odor nuisance in the living room only use compost that has been stored for several years
- Loosely work horn shavings or flour into the potting soil as a natural source of nitrogen in the spring
- Apply coffee grounds or tea to the soil regularly, preferably at short intervals, good supply of minerals by pouring over, also positive effect on the acid balance of the soil
- Other substances containing nitrogen, such as banana peels, etc., which are cut into small pieces and incorporated into the soil
danger: Since the volume of soil in the bucket is very limited, home remedies for nutrient supply are effective, but not always sufficient. A hydrangea in a pot should therefore always be kept under close scrutiny and, if necessary, supported by classic fertilizing with commercially available preparations.
tip: Since changes in the pH value of the soil occur quickly, but their effects can only be recognized quite late, it is worth checking the soil regularly with pH test strips, which are available cheaply in stores. Initially, weekly checks are recommended. Once you have a feeling for the behavior of the ground, the intervals can easily be extended.
maintenance
All in all, the hydrangea is considered to be a comparatively easy-care companion under the right conditions. However, various care measures help to intensify the hoped-for blooming splendor and to strengthen its durability:
- Cut out faded inflorescences to encourage new blooms
- Plants should be repotted every two years at the latest, since the soil is leached out over time despite fertilization and the balance of pH and nutrients is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain
- Ideally overwinter indoors in a cool, frost-free and dry place
- For example garage, conservatory or stairwell, pay attention to sufficient light and (less) watering
- During the hot summer months, consider alternative locations for the houseplant on the balcony or terrace, as this makes it easier to avoid heat build-up behind window panes
- The blue color of the flowers is supported by a single dose of aluminum alum before the flowers begin to grow, dissolve approx. 6 grams in the irrigation water and add it in this way
- Cooler, unheated locations increase flowering time, especially overnight
Signs of unfavorable growing conditions
Even with great efforts to create the ideal environment for the hydrangea, individual aspects can always deviate from the optimum. These deviations are usually only visible when the plant has already been adversely affected. The following signs occur again and again and should prompt a quick reaction:
Withering of leaves, premature withering of flowers
- especially if the water supply is too low (dehydration)
- as well as too sunny and hot location (burning of the plant parts)
yellowing of the leaves
- pH too high (poor nutrient absorption)
- or result of root rot (waterlogging in the root area)
Low growth performance
- lack of water or nutrient supply
Poor flowering
- pH value too high (especially if the blue color is insufficient)
- or undersupply of nutrients, light or water (general deficiency symptoms)
tip: Since it is usually too late to prevent negative consequences for the plant when the symptoms appear, all essential factors such as light and ventilation, nutrient supply and, above all, the pH value of the soil should be checked regularly and adjusted if necessary.