How to Care for Wilting Hydrangea

Determine if you are watering your hydrangea adequately. Usually, watering daily is too much, and can actually dehydrate the plant by destroying its roots through rot. Plants in a heavy, clay soil require watering, on average, once a week. You can use your finger to ensure that the soil around the roots of your plant is dry before watering.

Apply a water-soluble fertilizer every second or third watering to ensure that the hydrangea is receiving good nutrition. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application.

Test the pH level of your soil. Hydrangeas require a minimum pH of 5 to 6 in order to survive. Acidic fertilizers can help keep soil acidic, but it is not a substitute for non-acidic soil. Use a soil pH kit, which you can purchase at your local home and garden store, to ensure your hydrangea is in acidic soil. If not, replace the soil around the hydrangea with a mixture of peat moss and sandy potting mix to increase the acidity.

Check for signs of mushroom root rot or Armillaria root rot, a common disease of landscaped plants. Mushroom root rot is caused by fungi in the soils, and hydrangea is susceptible when it has been overwatered or is in an area without proper drainage. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service horticulturalists note that the “sudden wilting of one or more shoots that previously appeared healthy is often the first symptom of mushroom root rot on hydrangea.” Look for white or golden fan-shaped mushrooms around the base of the plant or below the soil. Unfortunately, if you discover mushroom root rot, you can’t usually save the plant. Isolate the infection and allow hydrangeas to dry out completely between waterings.