Potted Hydrangeas – Winter Protection

The best hydrangea winter protection for potted plants is to bring them inside prior to the first frost. If they are too cumbersome to move, they can remain outside and be protected by covering the entire pot and plant.

Can I leave my potted hydrangea outside?

Mophead hydrangeas are hardy and can be grown outdoors wherever the winter temperature stays above -15ºC (5ºF). However, potted hydrangeas sold as houseplants will have been produced in greenhouses and fed to encourage them to flower early, so they will need time to adjust to life outdoors before being planted out.

How cold can potted hydrangeas tolerate?

They don't need protection unless the temperature dips below negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 C.). Generally, leaving the old growth over winter, which can serve as additional winter interest, also helps protect these plants.

Can hydrangeas survive in containers?

Hydrangeas in containers can be used on decks, patios or on stands in your garden. This plant, held atop an old column, adds an elegant touch. First, decide where you'll put the hydrangeas. The beauty of growing them in pots is that you can move them around.

How do you keep potted hydrangeas alive?

If possible, water potted hydrangea houseplants with distilled water or rainwater, as tap water generally contains chlorine and other chemicals. Use a humidifier if the indoor air is dry or place the plant on a humidity tray. Hydrangea is happiest in a cool room with temperatures between 50- and 60-degrees F.

How can I help my hydrangea survive the winter?

How do you take care of a potted hydrangea indoors?

Light: Provide at least 4 hours of bright, indirect light every day. Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy while plant is growing and flowering. Pots are usually packed tightly with roots, so water often. Use lime-free water because lime will make the soil alkaline.

Can hydrangeas be indoor plants?

Hydrangeas for Indoors

Prized for their fantastic flowers, hydrangeas have been successfully grown as blooming indoor houseplants for ages. Their blooms are the size and shape of a softball, 5-6 inches in diameter. The double-flowered varieties produce a breathtaking mass of color.

How do you keep potted hydrangeas in the winter?

The best hydrangea winter protection for potted plants is to bring them inside prior to the first frost. If they are too cumbersome to move, they can remain outside and be protected by covering the entire pot and plant. One method is to use foam insulation to protect your potted plants.

Why is my potted hydrangea dying?

Key Takeaways: The reason for a hydrangea dying is most often due to not enough moisture in the soil. Hydrangeas require the soil to be consistently moist and will droop or die because of drought. Hydrangeas can die due to frost damage, drought, transplant shock and because of too much sun.

Do hydrangeas come back every year?

Yes, hydrangeas will come back every year as long as they do not die over the winter. Some gift hydrangeas are not bred to be very winter hardy though. So sometimes hydraneas will not survive the winter. But in general, most hydrangeas will come back every year.

Should I cover my hydrangea in the winter?

Whether or not hydrangeas need protection depends on how cold the winter temperatures drop. If the air temperature doesn't go below 0 degrees (zone 7) there is no need for winter protection. In colder climates, wrap or completely cover marginally hardy hydrangeas.

How long do potted hydrangeas last?

Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season. Prune them in the fall after the blooms fade so they can grow on strong stems the following summer.

Should I cover my hydrangeas for a spring freeze?

In case of severe night frost, for example if the temperature reaches -10 °C, it's best to cover garden hydrangeas with a fleece cloth. This will prevent air moving through the branches and keep the temperature more constant.

Can you put potted hydrangeas in the ground?

It is always best to plant the potted hydrangea outdoors whenever possible. It should only be planted outdoors in early to mid summer as it needs time to acclimate to outdoor conditions before winter arrives.

How do you prepare hydrangeas for winter?

The simplest method is to mound shredded leaves or bark mulch around the base of the plant to about 12 inches or so. Put the mulch mound in place in late fall after the ground freezes, and uncover plants in spring when temperatures begin to stay above freezing.

What should hydrangeas look like in winter?

Hydrangea flower heads turn dry and brown in the fall and will remain that way throughout winter if not removed. Hydrangeas also lose their leaves during fall, but the brown stalks remain upright unless pruned back.

Can you bring a dead hydrangea back to life?

You only need a couple inches of hot water in your container. Allow the flowers to sit. After 30 minutes, the blooms have started to come back. After 3 hours, the hydrangeas have come all the way back to life, pretty amazing.

Should I cut off Brown hydrangea blooms?

Are the blooms on your hydrangea shrubs fading or turning brown? No need to worry – this is simply a sign that it's time to remove the flowers, a process called deadheading. When you deadhead hydrangeas, you aren't harming the plants at all.

What is the lowest temperature for hydrangeas?

Effectively, a hydrangea should be able to sustain a temperature of minus-10 degrees. But in the real world, temperatures as low as 12 degrees — and late fall or early spring freezes — may reduce the flowering capability of this hydrangea.

Can I leave perennials in pots over winter?

You can overwinter them by moving the pots into a cold frame or unheated garage for the winter after the first hard frost. Since all perennials require a period of dormancy or a cold treatment to bloom, don't overwinter them in a greenhouse or other warm place where they will not go dormant.

How often do you water potted hydrangeas?

Watering Hydrangeas in Pots

The hydrangea should be watered thoroughly at least 3 times a week. Always water the plant all the way around the container, not just in one place. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in water which will cause the roots to rot away.

What do you do with hydrangeas in the winter?

Hydrangeas in Winter

Protect hydrangeas during winter with a layer of mulch. Leave faded blooms to create winter interest. Protect hydrangeas during winter with a layer of mulch. Leave faded blooms to create winter interest.

Do hydrangea leaves fall off in winter?

Most hydrangeas are deciduous, and it is quite normal for them to lose their leaves in the late fall to winter. As soon as the spring days warm up, you should see the buds starting to swell and to leaf out. Pruning your hydrangeas is an important step in their care.

How do I know if my hydrangea is perennial?

Hydrangeas are considered perennials, which means they come back every year once planted if the plant is not beat down too much by the winter months. If you're ready to plan your landscape and get to planting, this is the article for you. Stick around and keep reading.