How to Grow and Care for Hydrangea on a Balcony

by balconyboss
Published: Last Updated on
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Hydrangea is an interesting plant to keep on a balcony, as, with very little effort, you can turn the flowers different colors! Some dwarf varieties are perfect for keeping in pots, making them a great addition to a balcony.

Let’s go over everything you’ll need to know before you start growing hydrangea on your balcony.

Hydrangea Requirements

Hydrangea grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7, making it a good choice for cooler areas. Too much late frost might kill off early growth, but it’s a pretty hardy plant.

Dwarf varieties usually max out at around 3ft. high and wide, so are suitable as potted plants. Standard hydrangea can reach up to 15ft. and might be a bit too big for a balcony!

You can change the color of hydrangea flowers by adjusting the pH of the soil. Blue means acidic soil while pink means alkaline. Luckily, it’s as easy as adding some coffee or garden lime, respectively. You’ll also find red and white flowering hydrangeas.

Important Things to Know

Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade

Grow in pots: Yes – between 15” and 24” in depth and diameter

Grow indoors: Yes, but they’ll need more attention

Soil type: Well-draining

When to plant: Winter or spring

Growing Hydrangea

Hydrangea doesn’t take much work to grow on a balcony. You’ll need:

Method

It’s easiest to grow hydrangea from an established plant, even if it’s not a big one. You can get these in most hardware stores and they don’t cost much. The benefit of buying a small plant is that you can trim and train it however you wish.

  1. Mix your soil and perlite before and add an inch or two to the bottom of the pot.
  2. Remove the hydrangea from its pot and get rid of as much excess soil from the roots as you can.
  3. Place into the pot and hold the foliage out of the way while you fill it up. Press down gently on the soil every now and then.
  4. Put the pot in a sunny spot and leave for a few days before watering thoroughly.

Maintenance and Care

Fertilize once a month during the growing season with an all-purpose fertilizer. You’ll need to water your hydrangea up to twice a week during the warmer months. Be prepared for it to wilt a bit in hot weather, too.

Cut off the flowers after blooming to divert energy back into the plant. You can trim the greenery during fall if you want, but it’s not completely necessary.

While you can buy artificial hydrangeas, the real flowers will last a few weeks once cut if you care for them properly.

Final Thoughts on Balcony Hydrangea

Hydrangea is ideal for adding something different to your balcony garden. One of its best features is its changing flowers. By adjusting the soil, you could basically have a different looking plant each year!