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Everything you need to change hydrangea flower colours quickly

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If your hydrangeas aren’t producing the vibrant colours you had hoped for, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a simple way to change that. 

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While this trick only works for pink or blue hydrangeas, changing the colour of your hydrangeas depends on your soil’s pH level and how much aluminium is in the soil. Although aluminium is toxic to most plants, hydrangeas can tolerate a small amount. 

After altering your soil pH, it should only take a couple of weeks before your flowers change to blue or pink (depending on what method you’ve chosen).

What you’ll need to change your hydrangea colours

  1. Soil testing kit
  2. For a blue colour, aluminium sulphate or soil acidifier
  3. For a pink colour, high-phosphorus fertiliser or ground limestone

It’s crucial to note that altering soil pH can have implications for the plant’s overall health. Therefore, it is advisable to limit additions to the soil to a few times a year and carefully observe any changes. Patience is key in witnessing the gradual and beautiful transition of your hydrangeas.

How to change the colour of hydrangeas

Regardless of the colour you want to turn your hydrangeas, you’ll need a soil test kit to determine the pH level. You can buy a soil testing kit from a local garden centre or hardware store.

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Once you know your soil’s current pH level, you can adjust it and the aluminium levels to change the colour of your hydrangeas. 

How do I make my hydrangeas blue in Australia?

For those looking to turn their hydrangeas into a captivating blue hue in Australia, the key lies in creating more acidic soil with a pH below 5.5 and an enhanced presence of aluminium.

purple hydrangeas

Introduce aluminium sulphate or a soil acidifier near the plant’s base to boost soil acidity. Prepare a solution by mixing it with water and diligently apply it to your plants per the instructions. This method effectively transforms your hydrangeas into stunning shades of blue.

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How to turn hydrangeas pink

If you desire to turn your hydrangeas into beautiful shades of pink, adjusting the soil’s pH level is key.

Achieving pink hydrangea blooms can be accomplished by applying a high-phosphorus fertiliser or incorporating ground limestone into the soil.

hydrangeas
(Credit: Getty)

Household items that can change your hydrangea flower colour

Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds can help make the soil more acidic. Combining coffee grounds with fertiliser and citrus peels can enhance the soil’s acidity, contributing to the transformation of hydrangeas into lovely blue hues.

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Vinegar

Vinegar can also potentially change the colour of hydrangea flowers, but the effect may vary depending on factors such as the type of hydrangea and the pH of the soil. Adding vinegar, which is acidic, to the soil can lower its pH, potentially leading to a shift toward blue flowers. However, the change may not be instantaneous, and it might take time for the soil to adjust.

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