How do I treat a hydrangea plant that is looking bad?

here is a picture.

Is it too much water, not enough water, summer heat?

  14 answers
  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Aug 18, 2018

    There is an insect chewing on the leaves, but your biggest problem is keeping it in a pot. Hydrangeas are shrubs and need room to spread out roots and big green leaves. Plant it in well draining soil in a semi-shaded area (or full shade if you are further south). Most will grow 4 ft tall and 4 ft across, so give it room.


  • Betty Betty on Aug 18, 2018

    Yes it does need to be in the ground .they like lots of room and sun ..try spraying a dawn and water mix on the leaves. .Good luck .

  • Ellis Ellis on Aug 18, 2018

    In the ground is best, but I have managed to keep a smallish hydrangea healthy in a planter pot. It's in a large planter, a whiskey-barrel type, and our zone 7 climate is not so harsh that the plant is winter-killed. I do give all my hydrangeas a little feeding of Holly Tone once a year.

  • Julie Julie on Aug 19, 2018

    Mine is in the ground. It gets morning sun for about 4 to 5 hours but it hasn't grown much in the year I've had it and didn't bloom this year.. Any suggestions ???

    • Mary Messenger Mary Messenger on Aug 19, 2018

      Sounds like too much sun for that particular plant. If you know the name of the hydrangea you can look it up on the internet and they'll tell you where you need to plant it. I had one getting the morning sun here in zone 5 and it burned the leaves in 2 days.

  • Bmasecar Bmasecar on Aug 19, 2018

    Agree with everyone. In the ground or larger planter for a start. Feed and water well when you move it.

  • Mellie Mellie on Aug 19, 2018

    After it blooms, prune new growth. Hydrangea bloom on old growth. Make sure lighting is right.

  • Sono Arima Sono Arima on Aug 19, 2018

    I'm thinking keeping it in the pot will only bonsei the plant, which is not a bad thing.

    To rid the bugs a spray with a mixture of water, bit of dish liquid and tobacco soak should do the trick.


    Add a bit of epson salt to the soil to raise the magnesium. That works wonders on roses as well.

  • Deborah Deborah on Aug 19, 2018

    We had hydrangea in the ground ext to the back door of our old house, and it would get leggy once in a while and need to be cut back hardish. Then it would grow back in fuller.

  • Ann Ann on Aug 20, 2018

    I think your plant is potbound like the lady in the other comments said. Plant it and water in some Epsom salts, this is wonderful for picking plants up, its also good for you too in your bath. Can get at health food shops, hope this helps

  • Bonita McCarty Taylor Bonita McCarty Taylor on Aug 20, 2018

    Throw it out and try something different! Not worth the trouble!

  • Jud7872415 Jud7872415 on Aug 20, 2018

    They need to be in the ground. Next spring pour Epsom salt around the perimeter of the hole NOT NEXT TO THE PLANT, water really well and cut back any dead branches. In N'west FL. mine were over 6' tall and across, neighbors wanted the dead flowers for arrangements and in the spring I let them have blooms but they could only get two!! Once your plant is established spread Epsom salt to change the color of the flowers. Blue flowers will be pink and pink a lavender. Also, add potting soil to the hole to give extra nutrients.

  • Jud7872415 Jud7872415 on Aug 20, 2018

    Go easy with the Epsom salt, you can always add more later if you think the plant needs it, just don't do it in the summer it can burn the plant.

  • Short Short on Aug 20, 2018

    I have two large ones in the ground but they did not have a single bloom this year. They have been fertilized What can I do.

  • Connie Welchel Stoner Connie Welchel Stoner on Aug 20, 2018

    I read somewhere if the sun is out while raining is what causes the spots. Mine is covered. We have Sun and rain almost everyday together.