How to Change Hydrangea to the Color You Want

Raul Cornelius is a Senior Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA and a BCom, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities. Passionate about writing and photography, he enjoys early mornings with coffee and books, and nature bike rides during weekends.
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Wondering How to Change Hydrangea to the Color You Want? Here’s everything you need to know about doing it in the right way!

You must have seen the charming hydrangeas in different colors and surely have wondered how you could also grow them and do the same? If yes, then we have some awesome tips on How to Change Hydrangea to the Color You Want!

Here’s everything you need to know about growing Hydrangea in pots


Shades of Hydrangeas

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Hydrangeas are popular in gardens because they have a remarkable capacity to change their shade. The color of the blossoms can take on numerous shades of red, blue, pink, purple, and white, and it depends a lot on the factors like the growing conditions and soil pH levels that play an essential role in the colors of these flowers.

Check Out Our Article on Everything About Pruning Hydrangeas here


Hydrangeas in Pots are More Likely to Change Shades

If you want to change the color of your Hydrangeas more precisely, then grow them in pots. This gives you more control over maintaining the quality of soil and its pH levels, which are the two main factors that contribute to the colors in these flowers.


How to Change Hydrangea to the Color You Want

Do keep the fact in mind that you cannot change the color of white hydrangeas. They will stay white no matter the pH level of the soil.

1. How to Turn Hydrangeas Blue

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Hydrangeas become blue depending on the aluminum levels and the pH of the soil they are planted in. A pH between 5.2 to 5.5 will give blue or lavender-shaded blossoms.

  • Add 4-5 tablespoons of sulfur or aluminum sulfate to a gallon of water.
  • Watering pink hydrangeas using this solution will lower the soil’s pH levels, making them blue in 3-4 weeks. To keep a close track of the levels, use a pH meter.
Quick Hacks: Pour one cup of white distilled vinegar diluted with 2 cups of water. Use this solution to water the plant to increase the soil’s acidity. This will turn the pink blooms to blue in 4-5 weeks!
You can also use pine needles to bring down the pH levels of the soil. Do keep in mind that pine needles take a long time and repeated applications to work their magic!

Check out our article on amazing pine needle uses in the garden here


2. How to Turn Hydrangeas Pink

The quickest way to make hydrangeas pink is to feed them a dose of garden lime to raise the pH of the soil. Also, get a pH testing kit to track the levels of aluminum and soil pH more precisely.

  • You will have to do it on a trial and error basis. Add lime to the soil and then check the level of aluminum and pH with a pH tester.
  • You may have to alter the dosage till you arrive at the perfect level you need, and in a few months, you will have pink hydrangeas in your garden!
Quick Hacks: Wood ash can be used to raise the soil pH. Simply add 2 cups of wood ash to a liter of water and sprinkle it in the pot. 
Using Coffee grounds is another quick hack to raise the pH of soil. Add 4 tablespoons of coffee grounds in 3 cups of water and add it to the pot. 

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3. How to Turn Hydrangeas Purple

In marginally acidic or neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5), you may get a purple tone, or you could get a dual shade of blue and pink in the same flower.

  • If you want to try this, you’ll need to go for very neutral soil, and achieving the right balance can take a lot of time.
  • Continue testing your soil with a pH meter until you get a range of pH of 5.5 to 6.5. If the pH is low, you have to add lime to it. If the pH is higher than 6.5, add aluminum sulfate to lower it. You may have to keep doing this until you get the best results.

Fun Fact: In accomplishing the purple color, the blooms might turn violet too. The shade might not be as drastic as you expect, but you will indeed have a new color of flowers!


4. How to Turn Hydrangeas Red

The best way to enjoy red blooms is to grow Ami Pasquier (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ami Pasquier’). To ensure that the plant continues to display flowers in a deep shade of red, do the following.

  • Keep the soil on a more alkaline side to achieve the perfect red blooms.
  • Adding agricultural or dolomitic lime is the best way to do it. Sprinkle one small cup of it in the pot during spring and then again in fall and water generously.
  • Repeat the process till you achieve a deep shade of red!
Quick Hacks: Iron is what keeps the hydrangeas RED! You can add 4-5 rusty nails to the pot to provide iron to the flowers. The rusted nails contain iron oxide, a reddish brittle coating, which is also known as ferric oxide. You can also use blood meal and iron sulfate. Add them according to the instructions on the label. 

Note: Avoid adding more than 3-4 nails if growing hydrangea in a pot as it can raise the pH of the soil, making the flowers less red or might even turn them blue!

Learn how rusty nails can save your dying plants here

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