Can you grow hydrangeas in pots? Here’s the lowdown

“Hydrangeas are easy to grow in pots,” advises Roger Butler, owner of Signature Hydrangeas. As long as you keep them well watered and plant them in a pot that’s big enough to accommodate their growth, there’s no reason why they can’t be planted in a container. 

However, Butler does advise that some do better than others: “Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea paniculata are the best hydrangeas to grow in pots, while Hydrangea quercifolia, Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea serrata and Hydrangea arborescens are better in the ground.”  

The best time to pot hydrangeas is between March and June, advises Butler. One of the main priorities is to think about the pot size, giving the plant enough space to grow without becoming restricted. Consider the size and dimensions of your plant when it matures, and whether you’ll want to transplant it to a larger pot later. A rough guide is to use a pot a few centimetres wider than the one it came in. 

The size of the pot will also depend on the variety you select. Compact hydrangeas won’t grow to the same extent as traditional hydrangeas, so check the plant label for its eventual height and spread before you choose your pot.

When choosing the soil, Butler suggests mixing it up: “I prefer a combination of John Innes No 3 mixed with a peat–based compost because it retains the water far better than the peat–free compost.” 

It’s also wise to check the soil type needed for your specific hydrangea, especially if you have a macrophylla variety that responds differently to acidic and alkaline soils. 

There’s no great science to planting a hydrangea in a pot, just follow these five simple steps:  

1. Fill your pot with the appropriate soil type for your hydrangea (see above). 
2. Dig a hole as big as the pot it came in, remove the plant from the pot and position it within the container. 
3. Leave a good gap between the top of the soil and the top of the pot to allow water to be absorbed without overflowing.
4. Give the plant a good water.
5. Add a layer of mulch to help the plant retain water for longer.

Hydrangeas are best positioned in sheltered areas that receive the morning sun and afternoon shade. Although some varieties enjoy full sun, they are more likely to dry out and need extra watering. This is true for any plants that are grown in containers rather than the ground.   

Butler suggests that the ideal position for Hydrangea macrophylla varieties is in dappled shade and warns: “Certainly keep them out of the hot summer midday to mid-afternoon sun as the flowers may burn.” Instead, he suggests Hydrangea paniculata varieties would do well in full sun or semi-shade. 

Hydrangeas in pots will dry out much more quickly than those planted in the ground, so during the hotter, drier months, check your plants regularly. Butler says: “In the summer, the pots will need watering every day and must be kept moist the rest of the year.” 

Hydrangeas are relatively easy to maintain and don’t need feeding other than once in the spring. For this, Butler recommends using Osmacote or Miracle Gro. 

The pruning of hydrangeas will vary depending on your variety, as some flower on old wood and others on new growth. Check the type you have before you prune to avoid limiting the growth of new flowers. 

 For macrophylla varieties, Butlers advises pruning the plant around April time: “Cut off the dead flower heads immediately under the flower head to the first growing buds, but do not prune too far down the stem as macrophylla flower on old wood. If you prune them too low, you can cut the flower buds off.   

“Hydrangea paniculata flower on this season’s growth so can be pruned back to two buds on last year’s growth, around March or April.”