Why Your Hydrangeas Are Drooping—Plus Expert Tips on How to Revive Them

A hydrangea's colorful flowerheads are unmistakable in summer, almost like scoops of cotton candy plopped onto a bush. But they can lose their cheery appeal when the flowers and branches become withered and start to droop. What causes these favorite flowers to slump and what can be done about it? We reached out to experts to find out why hydrangeas droop and got their expert takes on how to make your hydrangeas stand tall once again.

Why Hydrangeas Droop

As a rule, this woody, deciduous shrub species likes to be well-watered. Depending on where you plant your hydrangea, it can lose soil moisture quickly, which causes the leaves and flowers to droop. "The reason they wilt is that they’re not drought tolerant," says Barbara Fair, a certified arborist and associate professor and Landscape Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University.

Hydrangeas need a lot of water but also well-drained soil, so if you live in a hotter area, it can be harder to monitor if the water tends to evaporate quickly. "This is especially true if the plant is receiving too much sunlight," says Brooke Edmunds, professor of practice and horticulturist at Oregon State University Extension. "Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, especially if protected from the hot afternoon sun."

Though hydrangeas usually droop because they're not getting enough water, sometimes it's the opposite reason, and they're receiving too much water. In this case, you need to pay attention to your soil. "Always look at symptomology first," says Fair. "If you see the plant starting to wilt, ask yourself, 'Has it been raining?'" If your area is experiencing a prolonged drought, the obvious answer is the hydrangea needs water.

If you're unsure if it's too much or too little water, you should feel the soil for how much moisture is present. "Put your hands in the dirt and see if it is moist," says Fair. "If you’re really into it, you can buy a soil moisture meter."

How to Fix Drooping Hydrangeas

Depending on what symptoms you're facing, try the following approaches with your hydrangea to see if it helps fix the wilting.

Water, Then Water Again

If your soil is very dry, it's time to soak the earth. "Most people don’t water deeply enough," says Fair. If you're the type of gardener who stands with a hose and moves it from plant to plant for a minute or two, that's not enough time to deeply soak the ground. "You'll need at least 10 to 15 minutes to water the whole thing," says Fair.

It might take an hour or two for the plant to perk back up again, but if it's still wilting, you didn't water it enough. "If the plant stays wilted and there’s not the nice green glossy color on the leaves, water it again for another 10 to 15 minutes," says Fair.

Rake Your Leaves to Your Hydrangea

If your hydrangea is generally happy but needs constant water, there are longer-term ways to fix the issue, such as leaf matter from deciduous trees. "They need moist well-drained soils," says Fair. "For hydrangeas, the best soil is composted leaves." Composted leaves (or leaf mulch or leaf mold) retain moisture and also provide the hydrangeas with nutrients as they decay. "Water deeply to encourage good root growth," says Edmunds. "Mulch can help hold soil moisture."

Don't Prune Older Branches

Plants that are otherwise healthy and don't show signs of wilting may just need some light maintenance. Branches drooping over with big blooms were likely over-pruned the previous season. "The thinner branches just can’t support the weight!" says Edmunds. If your hydrangea appears lopsided with too many blooms, it's time to make a bouquet. "Pruning out some of the flowers can help reduce drooping and stem breakage."

Tips for Preventing Your Hydrangeas From Drooping

Now that you know why hydrangeas droop as well as how to fix it, you'll want to keep it from happening again if you can. Follow our experts' advice for preventing your hydrangeas from drooping.

• Irrigate through fall and winter. The plant may be dormant, but the roots still need some moisture to stay happy and healthy, which can help the plant become more resistant to future issues.
• Move it to the shade. Even when we think we know our gardens well, it may just be the area you chose to plant your hydrangea is much too sunny for it to be happy. "If the plant is receiving too much sun, then make a note to transplant it to a shadier spot during the dormant season," says Edmunds. If you're unsure, choose a location with morning sun or a northern or eastern exposure.
  
• Try a different species. The most common hydrangeas are Hydrangea macrophylla, but the cultivar is not extremely drought tolerant. However, not all hydrangeas have this issue, and in general, oakleaf hydrangeas, such as 'Snowflake or Ruby Slippers, will tolerate drought better. "You can also look to replant with newer cultivars that are less prone to flopping," says Edmunds.