The Complete Fertilizer Guide to Get Your Hydrangeas Blooming All Season

Sometimes, the soil in the garden cannot provide enough nutrients to your Hydrangeas if it is not fertile enough. It may cause your plants to look weak and come with fewer blooms. In severe cases, your Hydrangea may not bloom at all. That is when you need fertilizer for Hydrangeas to bloom and grow to their peak potential.

But which fertilizer is ideal for Hydrangeas? Or you may wonder, “How and when do you apply fertilizer to your Hydrangeas?” Yes, there are tons of questions, and it’s only natural. To answer all of your questions, we are here with a complete fertilizer guide to get your Hydrangeas blooming all year long.

Are you ready to help your Hydrangeas grow and become the icon of your garden? Let’s dig in!

Why Fertilizer is Essential for Hydrangeas to Bloom?

Hydrangeas require certain nutrients to create lush foliage and brilliant flowers. They are demanding feeders as well, and in most situations, the soil is insufficient for them. Fertilizer can be the game changer here as it will provide your plant with everything it needs in order to bloom to its fullest.

Each nutrient your Hydrangea demands has a specific role in its growth and bloom. For example, the plant needs nitrogen for proper leaf growth and phosphorus to encourage the formation of flowers. Don’t forget about potassium which helps with the overall strength of the plant.

That’s not all, fertilizers also have a direct effect on the pH of the soil, which is responsible for the bloom color of Hydrangeas. So, you can imagine how crucial fertilizing your Hydrangeas is for satisfying growth and blooming performance. 

Understanding Nutrients Needed for Hydrangea Flowers

From here, we will focus on the blooming factors of Hydrangeas and what they need to perform the best in the seasons. Here is a brief breakdown of what nutrients Hydrangea need and their roles in flowering.

1. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is a must for foliage growth of Hydrangeas. While it is important, be careful not to apply too much of it. Overdose of nitrogen can result in high foliage growth with fewer blooms. So, keep the nitrogen level balanced for optimal results.
2. Phosphorus (P): You can consider phosphorus as the powerhouse behind the bloom of Hydrangeas. It stimulates bud development, leading to fuller and bigger blooms. To get full and big blooms, look for fertilizer with a high amount of phosphorus.
3. Potassium (K): Potassium boosts the overall plant health of your Hydrangeas, helping them stay strong against stress and diseases. Besides, potassium also contributes to improving water efficiency. So, it is a pretty important nutrient for colorful and long-lasting Hydrangea blooms.
4. Calcium and Magnesium: Hydrangea blooms are incomplete without vibrant foliage color, right? Well, magnesium is the key to achieving that. On the other hand, calcium is required in just a small amount as it boosts stem development.
5. pH Levels and Aluminum: The unique color of Hydrangea bloom depends on the pH level of the soil. If you need blue flowering, ensure a low pH that is acidic and the presence of aluminum in the soil. The neutral soil bloom should be pink, and as the pH goes to an alkaline level, the bloom color gets deep purple. So, using the right fertilizer, you can control the bloom color of your Hydrangea as you like.

More or less, it sums up everything your Hydrangea plant needs to blast into flowers in their blooming season.

Types of Fertilizers for Hydrangea Bloom Boosting

Choosing the right fertilizer can be the key to healthy Hydrangea plants and big blooms. Here is a quick breakdown that will help you.

1. Granular Fertilizer

These fertilizers come in two major variants: fast-release and slow-release. Slow-release fertilizers are the ones that feed your Hydrangeas and their effect can last for even months. So, if you just want to “Put it and forget it,” the slow release is the one to go with.

Compared to it, the fast-release version melts away fast, and their effects are for a short time. Therefore, you need to apply them occasionally, which is great for an immediate boost.

2. Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizers are normally applied directly to the soil. You can also use them as a spray on the leaves to deliver nutrients quickly. As they provide a temporary and quick boost, they are the perfect fertilizer to apply during the peak growth season of your Hydrangea. It ensures the plant can grow to its fullest.

3. Organic Fertilizer

If you are looking for a more organic and natural approach, you can go for organic fertilizers like compost, bone meal, or fish emulsion, which are pretty effective. The good part of using organic fertilizers is they are not harsh on the plant or the soil. The effect takes place slowly. It is the best way to maintain the soil balance and improve soil health over time.

4. Special Hydrangea Fertilizers

If you don’t want too many things to consider and need an easy solution to the fertilization issue, you can go for fertilizers made specially for Hydrangeas. They contain just the right amount of nutrients, like N, P, and K with other required elements your Hydrangea needs for peak blooming performance. You can also find fertilizers that offer blue or pink bloom by adjusting the soil pH.

5. pH Adjusters

To directly control the bloom color of your Hydrangea, you can use soil additives. For example, you can use aluminum sulfate for blue blooms. If you want pink Hydrangea flowers, you can use garden lime on the soil. You must use these with the external fertilizer, and the soil pH must change while the fertilizer provides the plant with enough nutrients.

Best Fertilizer for Different Hydrangea Varieties

Different types of Hydrangea need different requirements for nutrients. To bring their full potential, you need to select the right fertilizer for different variants. Here is a simple breakdown that will help you to understand which fertilizer is better for which variant.

• Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea Macrophylla): They are popular for their color-changing blooms, as the flowers can be blue or pink depending on the soil’s pH level. A balanced and slow release fertilizer like 10-10-10 NPK is the best option to apply in the early spring.

• Pinnacle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea Paniculata): These Hydrangeas are pretty hardy and come with conical blooms. They prefer a bit high phosphorus in the soil, so a 10-30-10 slow-release NPK fertilizer is the best for them.
• Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea Arborecens): These Hydrangeas and another popular variety named “Annabel” are popular for their rounded and resilient bloom. For them, you can apply a balanced 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 fertilizer once a year in the spring. Remember, you should avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they will make the plant too much leafy with fewer blooms.
• Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea Quercifolia): Which fertilizer is the best for Oakleaf Hydrangeas? Actually, they prefer a balanced fertilizer, like 10-10-10, or anything similar in the spring season. If you are looking for maximum bloom, consider boosting phosphorus in the fertilizer.
• Climbing Hydrangeas: They are the growing variant of Hydrangeas compared to others. The proper fertilizer for them is slow release and balanced type. Apply the fertilizers in the spring to support the growth and blooming of your plant. Climbing Hydrangeas don’t mind low nitrogen levels in the soil, so try to keep it balanced for a lush bloom without too much foliage.

Fertilizing Hydrangeas: Dos and Don’ts

You can’t just apply fertilizer whenever you want and however you want. There are some specific rules you need to follow while fertilizing your Hydrangea. Here are the dos and don’ts of applying fertilizer to Hydrangeas.

Dos

Here are the factors you have to ensure while fertilizing your Hydrangeas:

• Fertilize the plants early in the Spring season
• Use a balanced or bloom-booster fertilizer for your Hydrangea variant
• Follow the instructions provided in the fertilizer package for the best results
• If you want to control the bloom color, keep an eye on the pH level of the soil
• Remember always to water the plant after applying fertilizer
• Apply mulch that will seal in the soil moisture and add organic matter to the soil

Don’ts

Here are the things you need to avoid and be careful of while fertilizing your Hydrangeas:

• Don’t overdo the nitrogen element as that will lead to too leafy plant with fewer blooms
• Don’t apply fertilizer late in the Summer season, as the growth will be damaged in the upcoming Winter
• Never apply granular fertilizers directly into the leaves, as they are meant to be applied in the soil
• Before you apply fertilizer, always do a soil test to make sure you know the pH level and other elements to decide which fertilizer you need for the desired outcome
• Pruning is not linked with fertilization directly, but to get the most out of fertilization, timely prune your Hydrangea to promote new growth.

Fertilizing Hydrangeas in Pots vs. the Ground

Here is a side-by-side comparison of fertilizing Hydrangeas in pots and the ground that will help you understand the differences:

Seasonal Fertilizing Guide for Hydrangea Blooms

Here is a seasonal fertilizing chart for your Hydrangeas to bloom to their perk potential.

How to Make Homemade Fertilizer for Hydrangeas?

Making fertilizer for your Hydrangeas at home is a cost-effective and organic way to keep your plant healthy and strong. Here are some of the most effective homemade fertilizer recipes that you can make at your home:

1. Compost Tea

• Items you need: Well-decomposed compost, water, a container, and a strainer
• How to make: 

• Fill a 5-gallon bucket or container halfway with compost
• Add water to fill the bucket and let it sit for 1-2 days, stirring occasionally
• Strain the liquid, then dilute it using 1 part compost tea to 3 parts water

• Application: Pour the compost tea around the base of your Hydrangea plan once per month in the growth period for a balanced supply of nutrients.

2. Banana Peel Fertilizer

• Items you need: Banana peels, water, and a container
• How to make: 

• Place 2-3 banana peels in a har and cover with water, steep for 1-2 days
• Strain the liquid and dilute it with water, maintaining a 1:1 ratio

• Application: Pour the solution around the base of your Hydrangea once every 3-4 weeks to improve plant strength and flowering.

3. Coffee Grounds

• Items you need: Used coffee grounds
• Application: Sprinkle a small handful of used coffee grounds around the base of your Hydrangeas and gently work them into the top inch of soil once a month in the spring and early summer season. It is ideal if you are looking for blue flowers, as they reduce the soil pH and contain nitrogen.

4. Epsom Salt Solution

• Items you need: 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt and 1 gallon of water
• How to make: 

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water to make a solution

• Application: Water your Hydrangeas with this mix once a month. The magnesium will boost the bloom quality and help maintain the foliage color.

5. Eggshell Calcium Booster

• Items you need: Crushed eggshells
• How to make: 

• Rinse and crush eggshells, let them dry, and grind them into fine powder

• Application: Sprinkle the eggshell powder around the base of your Hydrangea. The calcium will ensure healthier stems and a stronger cell barrier.

Organic Fertilizer for Hydrangeas

Using organic fertilizer is the best way to nourish your Hydrangeas without damaging the quality of the soil. The organic approach is slower, but it has a long-lasting effect on the fertility of the soil. Here are some of the excellent organic fertilization options for your Hydrangeas:

• Compost
• Manure
• Bone Meal
• Fish Emulsion
• Alfalfa Meal or Pellets
• Coffee Grounds
• Worm Castings
• Mulching with Organic Materials

These are the best options you get to fertilize your Hydrangeas and provide them with a balanced and stable supply of nutrients. Organic fertilizer will also restore the ecosystem of the soil and bring back original fertility over time.

Conclusion

To sum the whole thing up, fertilizer can be the key to your Hydrangea’s healthy growth and full bloom. By tweaking the fertilizer elements, you can control the flowering, foliage, bloom color, and overall performance of your Hydrangea.

The best time to apply fertilizer is just before the growth period starts in the spring. If you are using granular fertilizer, don’t forget to water the plant thoroughly to save the roots from burning. To adjust the color of the bloom, you can use other additives with the soil that influence the soil’s pH level.

Finally, you can make organic fertilizer at home to save money and restore your garden’s soil ecosystem. If not absolutely needed, don’t fertilize the plant late in the summer because the growth will not be effective for the upcoming winter’s dormancy period.

FAQs

How does soil pH affect hydrangea blooming?

The availability of aluminum is the key to Hydrangea’s bloom colors, which you can manipulate by tweaking the soil pH. Acidic soil with aluminum will get you blue blooms, and alkaline soil with less aluminum blooms in pink. A neutral soil pH level will result in a mixed bloom.

Can fertilizer affect the color of hydrangea blooms?

Yes, it can! Fertilizers can change the bloom color of Hydrangeas by influencing the pH level of the soil. High phosphorous fertilizers will limit the intake of aluminum, bringing you pink blooms. Other balanced or lower phosphorus-level fertilizers will keep the blooms blue in acidic soil.

Which fertilizer is the best for Hydrangeas, organic or chemical?

Both organic and chemical fertilizers are similarly effective for the growth and bloom of Hydrangeas. However, people often prefer organic solutions since they will restore the soil health naturally. It may take some time, but it surely is effective.