Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Care Indoors, Common Problems & Solutions
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Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) flourishes in bright light, cool temperatures, average humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Hydrangea macrophylla also called Mophead Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Hortensia or Lacecap Hydrangea is among the popular flowering plants whose blooms can be white, blue, red, pink, light purple or dark purple where the color is affected by the soil PH.
A PH below 7 (acidic soil) will produce a flower color closer to blue while a PH above 7 (alkaline soil) will produce flowers that are more pink. However, only the pink varieties of Bigleaf Hydrangea can be blued.
The species name, 'macrophylla' is in reference to the large, oval, saw-edged leaves which are about 4-6 inches long.
Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Common names: Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Hortensia, Lacecap Hydrangea
Origin
Hydrangea macrophylla is native to the seaside habitats as well as mountains in Japan, from Honshu southwards.
Size
Bigleaf Hydrangea is a perennial shrub growing to 7 feet tall by 8 feet broad and bears large globular heads of flowers about 6-8 in. across.
Is Hydrangea macrophylla toxic?
Yes. All parts of Hydrangea macrophylla are toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested it can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. It produces a sap which can cause dermatitis in sensitive skin. Always wear gloves when handling it and keep it out of the reach of children and pets to avoid accidental consumption.
Where to Buy
Would you like to add Bigleaf Hydrangea to your collection? You may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Hydrangea macrophylla Indoors
To care for Hydrangea macrophylla, provide bright indirect light, cool temperatures of 10-180C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Bigleaf Hydrangea care requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as control control growth to keep it compact. It needs annual repotting after flowering is over for a lush growth. Continue reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Bigleaf Hydrangea liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Cut down on watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and falling leaves.
Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock as it can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Only water with chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Confirm that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Avoid wetting the blooms during watering as it can lead to rotting. You may water from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
Bigleaf Hydrangea grows best in bright indirect light; a spot infront of a large brightly-lit window is perfect for this plant. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
If light is not adequate, the plant will grow slowly, yellow and will not bloom. Therefore, where the natural lighting is not adequate instal a grow light to increase it.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Mophead Hydrangea thrives in cool temperatures of 10-180C. The cool temperatures prolong the flowering period. Keep it away from sources drafts as they can cause reduced growth, yellowing and lack of blooms.
Bigleaf Hydrangea Plant prefers a humidity of 50-55%; though it benefits from a high humidity. To elevate humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain a good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Bigleaf Hydrangea should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts all purpose potting mix and 1 part perlite is recommended for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed French Hydrangea with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is slowed at this time.
Pruning
Prune Bigleaf Hydrangea by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. The blooms can also be cut and preserved in a vase as dry flowers.
Repot Lacecap Hydrangea and cutback the stems to half their height after flowering is over to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too large. Place it in a cool place and reduce watering and continue feeding.
Repotting
Repot Hortensia during the growing season when flowering is over. To keep it small, cutback the stems to half their height and continue to water and feed. This will encourage a lush growth.
Use a pot only one size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Hydrangea macrophylla Propagation
Hydrangea macrophylla is easily propagated by air layering or from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil. It is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when in active growth to promote establishment.
Learn how to propagate Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea) in 3 easy ways.
Hydrangea macrophylla Problems & Remedies
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) problems are yellowing & leaf drop, lack of blooms, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading, herebelow is a detailed account on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellowing & leaf drop
Yellowing and leaf drop on Bigleaf Hydrangea is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, too little light and aging.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, windy doors among others.
Aging: As the plant matures the old leaves to turn yellow and drop; this is a natural process.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms (flowering) on Bigleaf Hydrangea is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, drafts or lack of nutrients.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, windy doors among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in the growing season but do not feed in the cold season.
Pests
Common pests on Bigleaf Hydrangea are spider mites and aphids which are more likely to attack in hot and dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the instructions on the label.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity to depress the pests infestations.
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