Hydrangea is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs to have at home, it is not necessary to have a garden or outdoor space to dedicate to it.
With its bright colors, hydrangea is a plant that lends itself very well to pot cultivation.
To get a large plant, you need to start by choosing the variety you like, then determining the type of pot and soil best suited to its needs. There are a certain type of hydrangeas that require a large pot. We recommend using clay or gravel on the bottom, but not a saucer, as this could lead to excessive water stagnation.
Potted hydrangea – Source: spm
When buying a hydrangea, the first thing you should think about is finding a nice place where it can receive light but also shade.
In fact, like many other plants, hydrangea does not like direct sunlight but lives on light. A nice shaded area is ideal! Hydrangeas grow well in acidic soil, that is, soil with a pH between 6.5 and 4.5. Their beautiful colors often depend on the acidity of the soil: those that tend towards pink or garnet red prefer a high pH of 6 or sometimes even 7, while those that tend towards blue prefer a very acidic pH, between 4 and 5. Depending on the color of your hydrangea, try improving and changing the soil.
Potted hydrangea – Source: spm
In winter it won’t give you much trouble, but in summer you will have to watch out for the heat, as this plant does not like high temperatures. If you decide to keep the plant indoors, make sure to keep it away from any heat source even in winter.
You will need a large pot with a diameter of at least 40 cm and put expanded clay on the bottom.
Then you can take the plant out of its pot. You will notice that it has thick roots. Cut the roots before placing the plant in its new pot!
This step is very important, otherwise the plant will have difficulty spreading its roots and will perish quickly. Do not place the plant too deep, but a few centimeters above the ground (to avoid root rot during watering).
The first watering must be abundant, then it must be adjusted according to the season. In summer, to beat the heat, consider watering once a day. However, be careful not to water the leaves to avoid fungal diseases that could affect your plants.
The first node to cut when you want to take a hydrangea cutting.
Hydrangea cutting – Source: spm
As regards fertilization, it is recommended to use a liquid fertilizer, to be added to the watering water at least once a week.
Cultivation, however, takes place by cutting and is quite simple.
How to take cuttings?
Cuttings of herbaceous plants can be taken with the fresh green growth of the plant (not in flower), between June and August, or they can be taken during the period of vegetative rest, which occurs between October and December.
In this case, take a semi-woody cutting.
In summer, proceed as follows: cut the bud at a height of about 30 cm, then cut the bud again once you have identified the first node (where the two leaves grow at the bottom); also remove these two sheets and pack all the others together with one hand so that you can cut the top part of the remaining sheets. At this point your sprout should look more or less like this and is ready to be placed in a glass with 2-3 cm of water:
Hydrangea leaves – Source: spm
Here’s a tip to better root your cut:
Use half an effervescent aspirin tablet! Don’t forget to change the water every two days (also replacing the aspirin), for a period of at least 40 days. After a few months you will notice some small roots developing, so it’s time to prepare a pot. Always remember that cuttings reproduce a plant identical to the mother plant.