Learn how to turn Hydrangeas from pink to blue! (2024)

FAQs

Learn how to turn Hydrangeas from pink to blue!? ›

The easiest way to acidify your soil and turn those babies blue is with aluminum sulfate, which can be found at almost any garden center. Mix ¼ oz aluminum sulfate with a gallon of water and soak the soil surrounding your hydrangeas in the spring, as soon as the plant begins to grow.

A soil pH of 5.0 will cause flowers to bloom in a more muted blue. You can do the same when planting hydrangeas in the ground. Mix some soil acidifier into the soil when planting according to package directions, then repeat again in 60 days if you don't get the color you want.

If you've been trying to get your hydrangeas to become big and blue, then we might just have the tip for you. Hydrangeas color is based on how acidic your soil is—the more acidic the soil you plant your hydrangeas in, the more blue. We've found that adding a few coffee grounds to your soil can do just the trick.

By altering the soil pH with vinegar, you can actually turn your pink-flowering hydrangeas blue! For this trick, simply dilute your vinegar in water before pouring it around the base of your hydrangeas, and within just a few weeks you could have fresh and bountiful blue blooms.

In fact, adding too much magnesium (which hydrangeas don't really require in high amounts) could potentially lead to an imbalance in soil nutrients, making it even harder for the hydrangeas to access the aluminum they need to produce blue flowers. The verdict: Epsom salt does not change hydrangea flower color.

From captivating blue to the brightest pinks and all the purple hues in between, these flowers are true rainbows. Unfortunately, if you're looking to alter the color of your hydrangeas this season, your pantry staples won't help. Contrary to popular belief, baking soda does not change hydrangea colors.

To turn hydrangeas blue, you'll need to make your soil more acidic. You may have heard of tricks like adding coffee grounds, vinegar or even pennies or a bundle of rusty nails to the soil. However, it's best to use aluminum sulfate, which is a proven method for changing flower color.

Amending soil with crushed eggshells is an organic method some gardeners successfully use to grow pink hydrangea. When mixed into soil, eggshells reduce the acidity as they break down. Higher soil pH makes aluminum absorption more difficult for plants, which helps produce pink hydrangea over time.

However, many times it's easy to turn those pink imposters back to blue, should one so desire. Simply squeezing a few lemons or limes over the plant somewhat raises the acidity level of the soil, consequently turning the blooms from pink to blue.

Consequently, for the bluing of hydrangea blooms, one needs both aluminum ions and acidic soil. The best soil additive for bluing is one that contributes both, such as commercially available aluminum sulfate, Al₂(SO₄)₃.

Why are my blue hydrangeas turning green? ›

Hydrangeas turn green because of age. Eventually, the flower will turn from green to brown and is a normal process.

The change in color of your hydrangea is due to a reaction to the pH of your soil. Yes, as I always say, the health of your plants is dependent on the health of your soil and in the case of hydrangeas, it determines the color.