Hydrangea has been favored by gardeners and plant lovers across the whole world for ages. However, maintenance and care for Hydrangea may be slightly difficult due to the lack of understanding and knowledge.
They often struggle during the summer or spring season turning their leaves brown in response to the unfavored conditions. In this guide, we present you with multiple potential reasons for Hydrangea's leaves turning brown along with effective and simple solutions.
1. Excess fertilizer
Fertilizers are good for most of the plants. They improve their growth and vitality through essential nutrients while enhancing the fertility of the soil. However, excessive fertilizers are not very useful to them.
Hydrangea upon receiving excess fertilizers are more likely to respond by changing their leaves' colors to brown often referred to as fertilizer burn. The delicate flowering plant doesn't thrive in such unfavorable conditions and is more likely to change its appearance by growing unhealthy brown leaves.
How-to-fix
You should give your hydrangea plenty of water increasing the frequency of watering. This will ensure the extra unwanted fertilizers get washed away.
Always check your fertilizer before using it and make sure you use slow-releasing fertilizer while carefully and regularly following the applying technique and the frequency of using it.
Sunlight is essential for the plants which helps them during their important photosynthesis activity. It is an inseparable element of existence for them and they have a natural tolerable level of sunlight and heat.
Hydrangea are strong flowering plants that can resist sunlight to some extended level but they will fail to tolerate under scorching heat of sunlight during the summer bringing changes in their leaves' appearance and turning them brown.
How-to-fix
The best possible way to hide your Hydrangea from the burning sunlight is to plant them next to your windows or any walls that will provide a decent shade to your plants minimizing the exposure to scorching heat.
Another possibility is to plant sun-loving shrubs and herbs in your garden close to your Hydrangea so that maximum sunlight is absorbed by them protecting the Hydrangea from the excess heat.
3. Nitrogen based fertilizers
Nitrogen is the primary content of most fertilizers and is vital for plants as well. An adequate amount of nitrogen will optimize the growth of the plants while enhancing soil health. While fertilizing Hydrangea you need to double check the nitrogen content in it.
Lower or excess nitrogen is not very useful and they might cause problems to the Hydrangea turning their leaves into red or brown. The problem is Hydrangea may not be able to absorb the right amount of nitrogen for them.
How-to-fix
Choose organic fertilizer enriched with all the necessary nutrients in the right proportion to apply on the soil where your Hydrangea is growing.
For the nitrogen content in it, if you aren't so certain then consider applying little quantity of fertilizer at once and check if the plant can absorb it or not. Gradually, you can increase the quantity based on the intake.
Transplanting plants is another way to regenerate them in different locations. It is an effective method to replant any crop according to the situational demand so that it grows as a new and fresh plant as if re-establishing them.
However, plants might not take it just as comfortably as we do. It has been said that Hydrangea might experience sudden stress and shock during the whole re-potting process.
They don't get adopted to new places very quickly more specifically due to the inadequate moisture which in turn causes the leaves to dry out changing color to brown.
How-to-fix
You should avoid transplanting your Hydrangea during the peak summer when days are extremely hot. When you are transplanting them keep in mind to hydrate them just before it to minimize the potential shock.
Make sure to consistently water your plants after transplantation ensuring the soil is moist which helps in the development of roots. Avoid excess watering causing water logs and rotting the roots. Proper drainage is mandatory in the new place where your Hydrangea is about to grow.
5. Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases are the result of fungal bacteria. They come in a wide range of varieties and affect plants during the different stages of their growth. Hydrangea is prone to fungal infections and diseases.
These fungal bacteria can infest the Hydrangea leaves turning them brown while developing different leaf spots such as white leaf spots, septorial leaf spots, anthracnose of leaves, and other noticeable infections.
How-to-fix
You need to make your garden area clean where your Hydrangea is growing by periodically removing unwanted and potential host weeds and shrubs. Make sure to remove and destroy all the debris and infected leaves and parts of the plant's body.
Look out for protective fungicides that are harmless to the surroundings and apply effectively to the plants. Avoid overhead watering and ensure proper air circulation to minimize the spreading of fungal diseases.
Watering your Hydrangea is important but it is even more important to control the frequency of watering. Consider your plant just like you which gets thirsty and needs to hydrate for smooth functioning.
If the temperature is hot then Hydrangea dries out quite early asking for the water in more frequency. Failing to do so might lead to the leaves of the plants turning brown in response to the dehydration. You need to understand the thirst of your Hydrangea.
How-to-fix
In the case of dehydration, there's no better solution than watering your plants and increasing the frequency of doing so by following a proper routine. While watering, try to do it directly at the base avoiding splashing the soil into your plant leaves and stems.
Make sure your soil has a good drainage system and try watering your plants ensuring they reach the deep roots.
7. Exposure to wind
Growing your hydrangea outdoors has to face a lot of environmental stresses that are often unanticipated. Blowing wind is one of them. While your plant might be growing robust enough to withstand the pressure of wind, there is another unavoidable thing to consider.
Wind blow can affect your outdoor Hydrangea by quickly drying it out drawing all the moisture out of them. This dryness makes your plant crispy and leaves might respond by turning their color to brown.
How-to-fix
Try leaning on natural barriers such as big trees and shrubs that will protect your Hydrangea from the wind directly falling on it. You can establish other protective fencing and structures as physical barriers.
If outdoor is prone to wind problems then consider physically transplanting your Hydrangea in another location less likely to get affected by the wind. It is suggested to perform transplantation during the fall or spring.
Wilting is a phenomenon where plants tend to bend downwards due to the lack of essential energy to make them robust and upright. If your plants start to wilt then it is sure that they are weak and need proper attention.
The main reason could be the lack of moisture in the plants, which might be due to exposure to extreme heat for prolonged periods or your negligence in watering them appropriately. This often leads to their leaves turning brown.
How-to-fix
You should water your plants more frequently. During the period of high atmospheric temperature, Hydrangea loses moisture pretty quickly and gets dry often. Considering this, you might not want to miss any routine watering to them.
Apart from this, make sure to keep your soil moist. You can get help from organic mulches that help to improve soil moisture retention.
9. Too much shade
Most of the plants thrive in their natural environment with the right amount of essential nutrients such as sunlight, water, food, and shade. Hydrangea is not different from it rather it constantly needs a favorable environment for it to flourish vigorously.
Sunlight plays a vital role during photosynthesis and is an essential element while preparing food. If your Hydrangea is kept away from the sunlight for a prolonged period with excessive exposure to the shade then most probably their leaves turn brown.
How-to-fix
Make sure to plant your Hydrangea in a perfect location with good sunlight, air circulation, and space while taking your time to choose the one if you are planting it outside in your garden or yard.
Another way is to apply periodic pruning which makes sure unwanted leaves and elements are trimmed away so that proper sunlight is captured by your Hydrangea to the depth making them fulfilled.
10. Fertilizing on a hot day
Although fertilizers are essential to the plants, inappropriate use of them can hamper your Hydrangea. You need to be properly aware of the timing when fertilizing needs to be done.
During the peak summer when burning sunlight is all over the head of your Hydrangea, it is best to avoid fertilizing them at this period. This can burn your plants which might respond by turning their leaves brown.
How-to-fix
The first thing is to avoid fertilizing during the hot day even if you have applied it in the most adequate amount following a decent procedure but if you have already made the mistake then you might want to water them sufficiently.
Water can dilute the liquid fertilizer that goes into the soil minimizing the harmful aspect of inappropriate fertilizing. This can reduce the impact to some extent.
11. Nutrient deficiency
Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the key elements for plants. These nutrients ensure the overall health and vitality of your Hydrangea. The lack of nutrients in your body is the same as that of your Hydrangea.
Inadequate nutrients will weaken the plant's body hampering every functionable part. This could be one of the primary reasons for your Hydrangea turning their leaves brown indicating the unfavorable environmental condition.
How-to-fix
Plants take nutrients from the soil so your soil plays a key role in this matter. Make sure to compost your soil regularly using organic matter. Feed your plants periodically with proper water and essential elements that help to absorb the nutrients more efficiently.
Nutrient-enriched fertilizer and compost are best for your Hydrangea. Keep in mind to follow the timing of using your fertilizer, watering amount, and feeding elements so that your plant thrives in a nutrient-filled diet.
Your garden must be well managed with proper spacing making every plant feel secure without competing for the resources they need. Proper air circulation with adequate watering facility and sunlight exposure are what your Hydrangea is seeking.
If you plant your plants unmanaged then there will be chaos in your site. Plants will start to compete with each other for survival fighting for the essential resources and nutrients. This can cause your Hydrangea to stress turning their leaves brown.
How-to-fix
You should be conscious while planting your plants in your garden or yard. Make sure you have a decent plan for every plant fulfilling their basic needs of spacing, watering, sunlight, feed, and air circulation.
Apart from proper spacing, you might want to lean on the pruning technique so that your Hydrangea will be more open and exposed to the sunlight and air. Practice periodic pruning to ensure happy Hydrangea throughout their growing period.
Final thoughts
Apart from above mentioned key reasons and solutions for your Hydrangea turning their leaves brown, there might be other several aspects your plant is getting trouble while growing, some of which are listed below:
If you have decided to plant Hydrangea then you must be sure of their breed and physical attributes. This has caused several misunderstandings among the gardeners and they are often mistaken about the natural color of their leaves.
Also, if you have a pet dog in your house then you wouldn't want it to pee in your Hydrangea. Their urine is found to be rich in urea which hurts the plants. Urea can alter the pH level of the soil leading to various unwanted diseases which might be another reason your Hydrangea is changing their leaves to brown.
Make sure to test your soil before planting your Hydrangea. This plant favors slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7. In the case of low or high pH levels, your Hydrangea might change their leaf color to brown.
