Yellowing leaves on hydrangeas are often a sign of environmental stress, nutrient deficiencies, or improper care.
Yellowing leaves on hydrangeas can indicate several underlying issues. These include environmental stress, nutrient deficiencies, improper watering, or pest infestations. Addressing these causes promptly ensures the plant stays healthy and maintains its vibrant appearance. Below is an in-depth discussion of the most common reasons hydrangea leaves turn yellow, along with remedies to restore the plant to optimal health.
Hydrangeas thrive in moist, well-drained soil, but too much water can suffocate the roots. When the roots cannot absorb oxygen properly, the plant struggles to take up nutrients, causing the leaves to turn yellow. This is a common issue in heavy soils that retain water or with overzealous watering practices.
Nikko Blue Hydrangea – Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea
While hydrangeas need consistent moisture, underwatering can also cause the leaves to turn yellow. When the plant becomes stressed due to a lack of water, it conserves energy by turning leaves yellow and dropping them.
Limelight Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Yellowing leaves may also result from a lack of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, iron, or magnesium. Nitrogen deficiency causes the older leaves to yellow, while a lack of iron leads to interveinal chlorosis—yellowing between the veins of young leaves.
Peegee Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’
Hydrangeas are sensitive to soil pH. If the pH is too high or low, the plant may struggle to absorb essential nutrients, leading to yellow leaves. This problem is particularly noticeable in Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea), which prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil.
Annabelle Hydrangea – Hydrangea arborescens or Smooth Hydrangea
Sudden changes in temperature can cause hydrangea leaves to yellow. Excessive heat or cold snaps may stress the plant, leading to yellowing and wilting of foliage. Hydrangeas are particularly sensitive to frost damage, which affects leaf health.
Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Transplanting hydrangeas can stress the plant, causing the leaves to yellow and drop as the roots adjust to the new environment. This is more common when the plant is moved during the growing season.
Pinky Winky Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
While hydrangeas benefit from regular feeding, over-fertilizing can damage roots and cause leaf yellowing. High concentrations of nitrogen, in particular, may cause foliage issues.
Bobo Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Pests like aphids and spider mites, can weaken hydrangeas by feeding on sap, causing yellowing leaves. Additionally, fungal infections such as powdery mildew and root rot can also lead to discoloration and decline in leaf health.
All Summer Beauty – Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea
It is natural for hydrangeas to shed older leaves as part of their growth cycle. These leaves may turn yellow and drop off, especially at the base of the plant.
Sumida-no-hanabi Hydrangea – Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea
Fixing yellowing leaves requires addressing the underlying issue:
Overwatered hydrangeas often exhibit yellowing leaves, especially on lower stems, and wilting even though the soil is wet. The leaves may appear droopy, mushy, or develop brown edges. In severe cases, root rot can occur, causing leaf drop and plant decline.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Hydrangeaceae |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Hydrangeaceae |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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