Having flowering plants in living space make me think like I brought a slice of nature into my house. When these plants grow and bloom, it is such a rewarding feeling that only gardeners get.
But, without knowing growing requirement of the plant, you may end just killing them. So, this write-up is about light requirement of hydrangeas plant.
Flowering plants like hydrangeas need sunlight to grow and produce blossoms. Without sunlight, your plant can experience stunted growth.
Is your hydrangeas plant getting enough sunlight?
Different types of hydrangeas need different hours of sunlight. Except limelight (Panicle) hydrangeas, most of them enjoy 6 hours of bright sunlight and like to live in shade for rest of the day.
How much sun do hydrangeas need?
It depends on the various factors like climatic conditions in your locality, soil, type of hydrangea and location of your plant.
Before proceeding further, I want write few lines about this beautiful flowering plants. This way you’ll get to know more about the plant and it will help you to grow a healthy flowering plant.
Also Read: Do Pothos Need Sunlight?
Requirements of Hydrangeas Plant
Hydrangeas are trouble-free flowering plant when comes to pests, deer and rabbits, because leaves of this plant is slightly toxic.
These shrubs start blooming in mid-summer till end of fall. Some hydrangeas has distinct ability to change the color of flowers with respective to pH of the soil.
Soil
These plants grow in almost all types of moist soil. However, they don’t like to stand in water logged spots. Rich organic fertilizers promote growth of its leaves and help to bloom.
If you’re planting this flowering plant in a pot, then make sure to add well drained soil that include equal amount of vermicompost. Your container must have drainage hole so that excess water can easily pass through it.
Watering
As mentioned earlier, hydrangeas thrive in moist soil.
Water your plant at the base of its stem thoroughly. Deep water 3 times a week will help the plant to improve its root system.
Overwatering can lead to root rot and Underwatering will stop your plant from blooming.
To check the moisture, dig the soil 1 inch and if you find it sticky and moist, no need to water your hydrangea for now. If the soil is dry, then water your plant generously.
Also Read: How Often to Water Calla Lily?
Fertilizers
Native to Asia and America, this ornamental plant needs good amount of organic fertilizers to thrive.
Depending on the type of hydrangea, you need to fertilize thrice, twice or once in a year.
Bigleaf hydrangea need light fertilizer thrice in March, May & June. While, oakleaf hydrangea do well if you use the fertilizer twice in April & June.
Smooth hydrangea variety need to be fertilized once in late winter.
Use 10-10-10 ratio fertilizers.
Excess use of nitrogen fertilizer will result in dark foliage but reduce flowering.
How Much Light Does a Hydrangea Need?
Do hydrangea plants bloom in full sun?
Yes, however, according to Kansas State University Research & Extension, “full sun” means the plant need 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Few hydrangea types love to grow in full sun and most of them need to be protected from afternoon sun.
Depending on the plant variety, this flowering plant need 4-6 hours of direct morning sunlight and for rest of the day they want to be in shade.
Below are broadly listed hydrangea plants. Know your plant type and decide the best suited location.
Also Read: Can You Put a Peace Lily Outside?
Hydrangeas that like sun
Panicle hydrangea – 6-10 hours full sun
Panicle hydrangea is the only species in hydrangea that can survive in full sun. With cone-shaped flower heads, this flowering plants bloom white blossoms first, which turn to mauve-pink over time by end of fall.
It is one of the hardiest species that is adaptable to dry spells and full sun.
There are different cultivars available, for instance Kyushu hydrangea, grandiflora hydrangea, Tardiva, little lamb and Limelight hydrangea are few of them.
Hydrangeas that like partial shade
Bigleaf hydrangea – 4-6 hours morning sunlight
Bigleaf hydrangea is one of the popular species in hydrangea plant. It blooms and grows well when exposed to 4-6 hours of morning sunlight. So, the location of this type of flowering plant must be receiving shade in afternoon.
This hydrangea specie produces different color variation from shades of blue, white, pink to red according to elements in the soil.
Oakleaf hydrangea – 4-6 hours of morning sunlight
Early hours of sunlight isn’t hard and doesn’t cause heat stress.
Place the plant where it can get good amount of bright sunlight in morning hours. However, in afternoon it prefers to be in shade. (Source)
As, hard sunlight in afternoon can damage the plant leaves and affects its blossoms.
Smooth hydrangea – Can be grown in full sun, but hotter the climate more shade needed to afternoon. (5-6 hours of sunlight)
This hydrangea type can survive winter climates and has ability to tolerate drought like situation.
It’s recommended that you place the plant under bright sun for morning hours and cover in shade in afternoon.
Do Hydrangeas Grow in Shade?
Like most plants, hydrangeas need sunlight to grow and bloom.
If this flowering plant receives inadequate sunlight it can experience stunted growth and affects flowering.
However, depending on the variety of hydrangea species your plant must require 4-6 hours of morning sunlight.
Do Hydrangea Need Full Sun?
Panicle hydrangea can survive in full sunlight. Most of these species can tolerant full exposure sun, only when you cover the base with mulch and water generously.
However, in hotter summer days you must cover these plant species under shade to protect the plant from heat in afternoon.
Conclusion
Know your plant type, only then you can decide the amount of sunlight it needs.
Most hydrangea plant types require 4-6 hours of bright sunlight in early hours and should be covered under shade in afternoon.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting