How Come Purple Hydrangeas Turn Blue?

The color of bigleaf hydrangeas is often misunderstood, but it is genetically determined. They are inherently purple in acidic soils that contain aluminum and will turn blue in strongly acidic soil (pH below 6), pink or even red in alkaline soil (pH above 7), and purple or both blue and pink in slightly acid or neutral soil (pH 6 to 7). Red hydrangeas are easier to change to purple since they mix with a blue color, while blue hydrangeas are harder to change due to their already blue area on the color wheel.

To grow the best blue hydrangeas, it is essential to test your soil’s acidity level. If your hydrangeas are blue but want them to be purple, consider adding garden lime (limestone) to make the soil less acidic. If your hydrangeas are pink but want them to be purple, consider adding garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower the pH.

Acidic soil, with a pH lower than 6.0, yields blue or lavender-blue hydrangea blooms. Alkaline soil, with a pH above 7.0, promotes pinks and reds. With a pH between 6 and 7, the blooms turn purple or bluish-pink. To change the color of hydrangeas, you need to adjust your soil’s pH levels. A lower pH will turn hydrangeas blue, while a higher pH will make them pink.

Some varieties of hydrangea are blue or purple when grown on acid soil and pink or red in alkaline soil conditions. The varied hues of the blooms trace back to both soil pH and the right additives. Different combinations of these factors could produce new tints never seen in nature.

Do coffee grounds really turn hydrangeas blue?

Coffee grounds are often used to turn hydrangeas blue, but their effect is short-lived and can harden on the soil surface. To achieve a lasting effect, use a 1/2 inch depth of grounds mixed into the soil, as they can harden and repel water. Pre-brewed coffee grounds are neutral and less likely to impact the hydrangea. Some hydrangeas, like the original ‘Endless Summer’, can change color easily, such as ‘Nikko Blue’ or ‘Penny Mac’. Other hydrangeas, like ‘L.

A. Dreamin’, may not respond to soil amendments, and some white hydrangeas that age to pink or red may never change color. Ultimately, the choice of hydrangea to turn blue depends on the specific needs and preferences of the plant.

Will urine turn hydrangeas blue?

It is a common misconception that urinating around hydrangeas will result in a change of color from pink to blue. In fact, this practice will have the opposite effect, ultimately leading to the death of the plant. Urine can be employed as a fertilizer by collecting it in a container and subsequently incorporating it into the soil in incremental quantities.

Will vinegar keep hydrangeas blue?

The addition of vinegar to the soil can result in the blue hydrangea’s foliage taking on a blue hue. However, this method is time-consuming and the effect is relatively short-lived. The practice of repelling beneficial insects and inviting destructive ones renders the method unreliable. The blue hydrangea is an ideal gift for occasions requiring an expression of regret or forgiveness. The flower symbolizes regret and remorse, making it an appropriate choice for such occasions.

Will baking soda make hydrangeas blue?

Loamy soil has high soil buffering capacity, making it resistant to pH change. Baking soda, a small amount, doesn’t significantly impact the hydrangea’s color, as it leaves the pH unchanged. Adding more can damage roots and potentially kill the plant. For practical pH alterations, use soil amendments like sulfur to lower pH and lime to increase it, as these amendments have been proven to be effective.

Why are my hydrangea leaves turning purple?

Hydrangea leaves turning purple may indicate a lack of phosphorus in the soil, which plants need for their health. Gardeners may accidentally cause the pH of the soil to drop too low, causing other chemical compounds to bind phosphorus, which can be harmful to plants. Acidic soils with a pH below 6. 0 may allow aluminum to tie up phosphorus, while alkaline soils with a pH above 7. 0 may be binding it with calcium or magnesium. To free phosphorus, adjust the soil’s pH, but if no noticeable difference occurs, apply a phosphorus fertilizer to the root zone.

Weather can also influence the color of hydrangea leaves, causing large areas of purple discoloration. Cool weather near the end of the growing season may trigger the plant’s dormancy, while frost damage can cause purple discoloration. Pluck off damaged leaves when they dry out, leaving only partially injured ones behind until new leaves form.

Will blue hydrangeas stay blue?

The pH of the soil in which a hydrangea is cultivated determines the hue of the plant’s flowers. When the soil is acidic, aluminium is able to be absorbed by the plant, resulting in the production of a striking blue colour. The color of Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas can be expected to change predictably over time, while the color of smooth and panicle hydrangeas tends to shift somewhat as they age. It is recommended that Proven Winners® varieties such as Let’s Dance Blue Jangles and Reblooming Hydrangea be used in horticultural applications.

Will coffee grounds turn hydrangeas purple?

In order to achieve the desired blue and purple hues in hydrangeas or blurple in hydrangeas, it is recommended that used coffee grounds and citrus peels be incorporated into the hydrating plant base.

Why are my purple hydrangeas turning blue?

The color of hydrangeas is influenced by the pH level of the soil in which they are cultivated. In acidic soil, the flowers take on a blue hue, while in alkaline soil, they assume a pink tint. To modify the pH of the soil, the application of fertilizers or organic matter may be employed. Examples of suitable materials include fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss, and pine needles. Alternatively, compost, lime, or baking soda may be utilized to address alkaline soil conditions.

Does vinegar change hydrangeas blue?

The application of distilled white vinegar can serve to reduce the pH level of soil and induce a transformation in the hue of hydrangea flowers, from pink to blue. This can be achieved by diluting one cup of the vinegar solution.

How do I get my hydrangeas blue again?

Coffee grounds can be used to change the color of hydrangeas, but it’s best to use aluminum sulfate for a proven flower color change. Crushed eggshells may work, but they should be used with a proven method of raising the pH, like applying garden lime. Vinegar can be added to watering cans to change soil acidity and turn hydrangeas blue, but it’s not a long-term solution and can be harmful to local wildlife.

How do you keep hydrangeas purple blue?

To maintain hydrangea’s blue color, add Vitax Hydrangea Colourant, an aluminium powder mixed with compost, or mix it into the soil surface each spring. White hydrangeas do not change color according to soil type but may blush pink in the sun. Regular watering is essential in pots and containers, and in dry spells in open ground. Add garden compost or farmyard manure when planting, and water thoroughly before and after planting. Hydrangeas hate dry conditions, so it’s crucial to maintain proper watering and feeding.