Hydrangeas, with their expansive blooms and mesmerizing colors, have been charming garden enthusiasts for ages. But gardeners often worry when they see their favorite hydrangea leaves turning brown, especially in the spring or summer. What causes this issue? Can it be fixed? Well, this post has all your answers.
Seeing those lush blooms turn crispy and brown can be disheartening for any hydrangea lover. But don’t lose hope yet. In most cases, browning leaves are perfectly fixable if you act quickly and correctly.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons behind hydrangea leaves turning brown and how to revive your beloved shrub.
Overview of Main Causes
Hydrangeas leaves can turn brown due to various environmental stressors and care issues like:
- Transplant shock
- Fertilizer burn
- Fungal diseases
- Insufficient water
- Excessive sunlight
- Pest damage
- Excessive wind
- Overwatering
- Improper pruning
The exact cause will depend on the specific variety and circumstances. But generally, inadequate moisture is the primary culprit in many cases
Next, let’s examine each of these factors in detail, along with solutions to get your hydrangea leaves green again.
1. Transplant Shock
Changing the plant’s location exposes its roots to stress, often causing moisture deficiency and browning of leaves. Transplant shock usually happens when:
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Planting or moving hydrangeas during hot, dry weather. This leads to rapid moisture loss.
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Forgetting to water the plant before and after transplanting.
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Waterlogging the soil after transplanting, which suffocates the already stressed roots.
How to Fix Transplant Shock
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Time it right – Avoid transplanting during peak summer or extremely warm days. Spring and fall are ideal.
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Water generously before digging up the plant. This keeps roots and leaves hydrated during the transition.
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Water moderately but frequently after replanting to help establish new roots.
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Add organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce water needs.
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Consider using root stimulator solutions to encourage faster root growth.
2. Fertilizer Burn
Applying excess fertilizer or applying it during hot, dry conditions can damage hydrangea roots and leaves. This chemical damage is known as fertilizer burn.
Signs include brown, crunchy leaf edges and tips. Granular fertilizers spillage on leaves may also create brown spots.
While the damage occurs through the roots, direct contact on leaves can worsen the burning.
How to Fix Fertilizer Burn
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Flush out residual salts by watering thoroughly daily for a week. This helps leach out excess.
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Remove spilled granular fertilizer by raking the topsoil lightly.
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Cut off badly damaged leaves to improve appearance. Don’t compost them.
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Stick to an annual spring feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid summer applications.
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Consider using slow-release fertilizers that provide a light feeding over time.
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Always water plants before and after feeding to minimize chemical stress.
3. Fungal Diseases
Hydrangeas can fall prey to various fungal pathogens like Cercospora, Botrytis, and Powdery mildew. These may cause brown leaf spots, grey mold, white powdery coating, rusty spots, or other symptoms.
Wet, crowded conditions encourage fungal spores to multiply and infect. Excess nitrogen fertilization also increases susceptibility.
How to Fix Fungal Issues
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Improve air circulation and light penetration by selective pruning.
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Remove and promptly dispose of infected leaves. Don’t compost them.
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Apply fungicidal sprays like neem oil, sulfur, or copper-based products. Read labels carefully before using.
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Promote healthy growth with balanced feeding and adequate sun exposure.
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Water early in the day to allow leaves to dry out by nighttime.
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Rake and remove fallen leaves as they may harbor fungal spores.
4. Insufficient Watering
Hydrangeas need consistently moist soil, especially during hot weather. Insufficient watering causes the leaves to dry out, wilt, and eventually turn brown.
How to Fix Drought Stress
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Check soil moisture before watering. Water when the top 2 inches become dry.
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Water slowly and deeply, avoiding leaf wetting. Target about 1-2 inches of water weekly.
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Increase watering frequency during heat waves or windy conditions which accelerate moisture loss.
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Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch to help retain soil moisture. Renew it annually.
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For severely dried plants, submerge the pot or root zone in a bucket of water for 30 minutes before watering as usual.
5. Excessive Sunlight
While some hydrangea varieties tolerate full sun, most prefer partial shade or morning sun only. Exposure to intense afternoon sun often scorches the leaves, causing browning or yellowing.
How to Fix Excess Light Issues
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Check if your variety is suited for full sun before exposing it to afternoon light.
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Move pots or transplant shrubs to a spot with bright morning sun but afternoon shade. North-facing locations are ideal.
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Use shade cloth to block excessive light without impacting air circulation.
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Prune selectively to open the canopy and improve air movement, which reduces heat stress.
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Ensure adequate moisture to help leaves stay cool and hydrated.
6. Pest Damage
Sucking pests like spider mites, thrips, and aphids can extract nutrients from hydrangea leaves and cause stippling, discoloration, or curling.
Chewing pests like Japanese beetles skeletonize leaves, creating ragged holes and brown edges.
Such pest-induced damage often appears as brown spots or edges on the foliage.
How to Fix Pest Problems
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Check undersides of leaves and stem joints for Early signs of pests. Take action before infestation sets in.
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Knock off or pick beetles by hand into a bucket of soapy water. Avoid crushing them on the plant.
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Remove aphids and mites with strong blasts of water or insecticidal soap sprays.
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Apply neem oil or horticultural oil sprays to smother eggs and juveniles of common pests.
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Use pheromone traps and beneficial insects to control pests like beetles without chemicals.
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Avoid excess nitrogen fertilization which produces succulent growth attractive for pests.
7. Excessive Wind Exposure
Strong winds rapidly deplete moisture from hydrangea leaves and flowers. Prolonged wind exposure causes the foliage to desiccate, shrivel and turn brown.
How to Fix Wind Burn Issues
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Plant shrubs in a sheltered spot or group plants to shelter each other.
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Install temporary windbreaks using garden fabric or burlap. Remove them once windy season passes.
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Move potted plants to a protected area of the garden or patio during windy months.
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Ensure plants receive adequate water to cope with increased moisture loss.
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Prune after flowering to remove old wood and improve air circulation within the canopy.
8. Overwatering
While hydrangeas love frequent watering, excess moisture can be detrimental. Waterlogged roots are starved of oxygen, eventually leading to root rot.
The fungal infections and stunted roots cause the leaves to yellow, wilt and turn brown.
How to Fix Overwatering Issues
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Allow the topsoil to become slightly dry before watering again.
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Improve drainage by mixing compost into heavy clay soils before planting.
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Avoid planting in low-lying areas with poor drainage. Choose a sloped spot instead.
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Grow shrubs in raised beds or containers with drainage holes at the base.
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Reduce watering frequency and use your finger to gauge moisture in the top 2-4 inches before adding more.
9. Improper Pruning
Pruning hydrangeas at the wrong time removes the current season’s growth, preventing flowers. Blooms arise from buds on older stems.
Drastic pruning or cutting main branches invites fungal disease. Weakened plants produce fewer flowers and leaves that are more prone to browning.
How to Fix Pruning Issues
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Prune immediately after flowering by cutting back spent blooms to just above a healthy pair of buds.
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Remove up to one-third of the oldest branches annually to rejuvenate the shrub.
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Disinfect pruning tools with alcohol to avoid transmitting diseases through cuts.
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Prune selectively rather than shearing the whole shrub for a natural shape.
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Leave some faded flowers over winter to protect buds from frost damage. Prune only in early spring.
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Avoid heavy pruning for the first 2-3 years after planting to allow establishment.
Final Tips to Prevent Hydrangea Leaf Browning
Here are some additional care tips to keep your hydrangea foliage healthy and green:
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Choose suitable varieties for your light conditions. Move sun-loving types out of too much shade.
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Space plants adequately to allow air movement. Crowding increases humidity and disease risk.
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Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch around each shrub to regulate soil temperature and moisture.
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Avoid compacting the soil by walking around or working in the root zone unnecessarily.
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Stake tall, weak stems to prevent wind damage. Remove ties by fall to prevent girdling.
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Clean up and remove fallen leaves and debris which can harbor pests and diseases.
If tackled early, hydrangea leaf browning is almost always fixable. Just correctly identify the trigger factor and implement the appropriate solutions. With good care, your beloved hydrangeas will soon get back their beautiful green foliage.
Remember to always check soil moisture, drainage, sunlight, and other cultural requirements specific to your hydrangea type and variety before assuming it has a disease. A little attentive care is all it takes to maintain gorgeous hydrangea shrubs.
Why Are My Hydrangea Leaves Turning Brown
Commonly, hydrangeas naturally go dormant in the fall, leading their leaves to change to brown and drop off. Then, come early spring, youll see new green shoots emerging from stems that might have seemed lifeless.
However, if you spot brown leaves in the spring or summer, there might be different issues to consider. The exact reasons depend on the type and its environment, but hydrangeas with brown leaves usually need more water and are stressed out by the heat. Additionally, the sunlight and soil can also have an effect. Let’s check the details.
Transplanting a hydrangea exposes the plant to stress. This happens because they don’t get enough water, which can dry out the leaves, turn them brown, and make the flowers wilt.
Fix
- Timing is very important. Don’t transplant plants in the middle of summer or on days when it’s very hot.
- Before Transplanting: Make sure the plant is well-hydrated before moving it to lessen the shock.
- Post-Transplant Care: If you forgot to water the plant before planting, water it a few times a week after planting. This helps in establishing the roots. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure proper drainage.
Excessive or untimely fertilization can lead to brown, crunchy leaf edges, a phenomenon known as fertilizer burn. This isn’t necessarily due to direct contact but could arise from the roots absorbing too much fertilizer.
Fix
- Limit Fertilization: Restrict to two or three applications a year. Slow-release formulas are beneficial as they release nutrients over time.
- Get Rid of Extra Fertilizer: Give the plant daily water to get rid of any leftover fertilizer. For granular fertilizers, consider raking the soils surface.
- Leaf Care: To keep the plant looking nice, you can cut off any brown leaves.
Hydrangeas can be vulnerable to various fungal infections, leading to white spots on plant leaves, brown spots, rust-colored stains, or other noticeable symptoms on their leaves.
Fix
- Garden Hygiene: Regularly remove and discard fallen leaves and debris. These could harbor fungal spores.
- Use Fungicides: Apply general fungicides, following the label instructions. Some fungicides, like copper-based ones, can be harmful if used too much.
- Leaf Removal: Cut off and dispose of infected leaves properly. Avoid composting them to prevent spread.
Repeated exposure to strong sun without adequate hydration can make hydrangea leaves turn brown and crispy.
Fix
Regular Watering: Ensure a consistent watering schedule, aiming for about an inch of water weekly.
Spot Treatment: For temporarily dried-out plants, water slowly and directly at the base, avoiding leaf sprinkling.
While some hydrangeas thrive in full sun, most varieties prefer partial shade, receiving 4-6 hours of sunlight, preferably in cooler morning hours.
Fix
Relocation: Consider moving the plant to a more shaded location or using a pot for flexibility.
Alternative Varieties: If relocation isn’t feasible, opt for sun-loving varieties like panicle hydrangeas.
Excessive wind can quickly draw moisture out of hydrangea leaves, leading to desiccation and browning.
Fix
- Natural Walls: To block wind, use other plants, like ornamental grass or shrubs.
- Physical Barriers: Employ fencing or other protective structures.
- Moving: If you want to move the plant successfully, do it in the fall or spring when it’s not as windy.
Wilting is a sign of moisture deficiency. If hydrangeas are left to wilt repeatedly in hot weather, their leaves can turn brown. You should take action in time when hydrangeas wilting.
Fix
Water the plants thoroughly every few days during high temperatures.
Improve soil moisture retention with mulch around the base of each plant.
Should I Cut the Brown Leaves off My Hydrangea
Typically, its advised to prune leaves when they show more than 50% browning. In most cases, there’s nothing you can do to recover the brown hydrangea leaves. Luckily, getting rid of the bad ones and implementing the mentioned solutions can prompt the plant to sprout fresh leaves. Over time, the affected leaves might drop on their own or can be clipped off by the gardener.
Why are my hydrangea leaves brown? or An update on my new hydrangeas!
Do hydrangea leaves turn brown?
The greater the portion of green on a leaf, the more useful it is to the plant. So, even though the brown section of a leaf may not come back to life, the rest of the leaf can still serve a purpose. Once a hydrangea’s leaves turn brown, they won’t turn green again. Should you prune your hydrangea’s brown leaves?
How do you know if hydrangeas need water?
If they go too long without water, the leaves will curl and turn brown. If your hydrangea plant’s leaves are suddenly crunchy and crumbling off, underwatering should be your first thought. Stick your finger about 3 inches into the soil surrounding your hydrangeas. If it feels dry and powdery, your hydrangeas are thirsty, so give them a drink!
How to revive hydrangeas with brown leaves and flowers?
The Solution… To revive hydrangeas with brown leaves and flowers, we need to recreate the conditions of the hydrangea’s native environment by planting hydrangeas in moisture soil, watering the hydrangea as often as required to keep the soil moist and sheltering the hydrangea from wind which saps moisture.
What causes brown spots on hydrangea leaves?
Fungal Diseases: Hydrangeas are susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot, which can cause brown spots or patches on the leaves. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal infections.