Hydrangeas are one of the most popular garden plants. As wonderful as the large flowers are to look at, the shrubs are also sensitive - especially when it comes to their nutritional needs. A special hydrangea fertilizer helps to supply the plants with the right mix of nutrients. We have looked around for you, which products are particularly recommended and what you should pay attention to when buying.
If you provide the hydrangeas with all the nutrients they need, you can enjoy lasting blooms
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Plantura organic hydrangea fertilizer with 3 months long-term effect, 1.5 kg for magnificent hydrangeas in beds and pots, organic quality, good for the soil, harmless to pets and garden animals
14.99 EUR To the product| quantity / packaging | 1.5 kilograms |
|---|---|
| fertilizer type | organic-mineral |
| fertilizer form | solid, granulated |
| ingredients | Vegetable substances, kieserite, iron sulphate, rock phosphate |
| NPK composition | 5+2+7,5 |
| minor nutrients | Sulfur (3.7%), magnesium (2%) and iron (1%) |
| long-term effect | yes, 3 months |
The Plantura organic hydrangea fertilizer does not contain any animal ingredients, but consists of 82 percent vegetable substances from the food, luxury and animal feed industries (including soy flour and cocoa shells) and mineral components such as kieserite, iron sulphate and crude phosphorus. The manufacturer completely refrains from using genetically modified ingredients. This makes the product suitable for natural gardening, and it is also approved for organic farming. According to the manufacturer, the hydrangea fertilizer is suitable for all hydrangea species. Furthermore, the granules are harmless to pets and garden animals due to their biological composition.
our recommendation
Compo hydrangea and camellia fertilizer for all Morbeet plants in the house, on the balcony and terrace as well as in the garden, special liquid fertilizer with extra iron, 1 liter
8.99 EUR To the product| quantity / packaging | 1 liter |
|---|---|
| fertilizer type | mineral |
| fertilizer form | fluid |
| ingredients | contain no organic substances |
| NPK composition | 7+3+6 |
| minor nutrients | contains extra iron |
| long-term effect | no |
The special liquid fertilizer from the manufacturer Compo is suitable for hydrangeas of all types and varieties planted in tubs as well as in the garden. You can also use the product for other ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, blueberries or magnolias. The nutrients contained are immediately available for the plants. However, there is no long-term effect, which is why weekly fertilization - in the case of an existing iron deficiency (recognizable by very light-colored leaves) even every three to five days - during the main growth period between April and August makes sense.
our recommendation
Dehner hydrangea and rhododendron fertilizer, 2 kg, for approx. 25 sqm
8.49 EUR To the product| quantity / packaging | 2 kilograms |
|---|---|
| fertilizer type | organic-mineral |
| fertilizer form | solid, granulated |
| ingredients | animal by-products such as chicken manure, NPK mineral fertilizers, botanicals, earthworm humus, mycorrhizal fungi |
| NPK composition | 10+4+7 |
| minor nutrients | Sulfur (6%), Magnesium (0.8%) |
| long-term effect | yes, 3 months |
Dehner's organo-mineral hydrangea fertilizer contains a large proportion of natural chicken manure, which has been mixed with plant-based substances from the food, beverage and feed production sectors, as well as fast-acting, mineral NPK components. Other components are earthworm humus and mycorrhiza fungi, which have a positive effect on microbial life in the soil and are said to support humus formation. In their Amazon customer reviews, users are very positive about the product. Several customers reported that they were able to save even older, badly neglected hydrangeas. Of course, this hydrangea fertilizer is also suitable for other ericaceous plants that have similar requirements to the popular flowering shrubs.
Purchase Criteria
fertilizer form
solid fertilizers: Solid fertilizers are usually available in low-dust granular form and can be used in a variety of ways. You can put the fertilizer granules directly into the planting hole as a starter fertilizer when planting, work them slightly into the soil for established plants (don't forget to water them vigorously!) or dissolve them in water and use them like liquid fertilizer.
liquid fertilizer: Liquid hydrangea fertilizers are easy to dose, they also penetrate quickly to the roots and the nutrients they contain are immediately available to the plants. However, many liquid fertilizers do not have a long-term effect and must therefore be administered regularly (usually once a week).
fertilizer type
Organic Fertilizers: Those who want to cultivate their garden in a natural way prefer to use organic hydrangea fertilizers. These consist of plant and/or animal substances that slowly decompose in the soil and gradually release the nutrients to the plants. Organic fertilizers have the advantage that they promote microbial life in the soil and thus the natural formation of humus. They have a natural long-term effect and therefore only need to be administered two to three times a year.
mineral fertilizers: Purely mineral hydrangea fertilizers, on the other hand, do not contain any organic components. These fertilizers provide the plants with an immediately effective mix of nutrients, but usually do not have any long-term effects and must therefore be applied regularly. In addition, they have no positive influence on soil life.
Organic mineral fertilizers: Organic-mineral hydrangea fertilizers, on the other hand, contain both organic and mineral components, which is why they combine the advantages of both types of fertilizer and reduce the respective disadvantages. Organic-mineral fertilizers provide the hydrangeas with both immediate and slow-acting nutrients and thus have a natural long-term effect.
ingredients
When buying organic or organo-mineral fertilizers, you should read the list of ingredients carefully: Anyone who values animal-free hydrangea fertilizer, for example, should avoid products with content descriptions such as “animal substances from the food, luxury food and feed industry”. This is usually slaughterhouse waste. In principle, there is nothing reprehensible about their use, but some garden owners prefer to refrain from doing so. However, manufacturers understand “animal by-products” to be farmyard manure, such as chicken manure.
NPK composition and other nutrients
Hydrangea fertilizers are primarily NPK complete fertilizers that contain the three main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in different compositions. The proportion of nitrogen and potassium should be significantly higher than that of phosphorus, and certain trace elements - especially magnesium - are indispensable. Hydrangeas are also prone to iron deficiency, which is reflected in pale, yellowish leaves. An iron-rich hydrangea fertilizer helps here.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Do you really need a special hydrangea fertilizer?
Of course, you don't necessarily need special hydrangea fertilizers. However, deficiencies and other problems - such as reduced flowering - are more likely to occur when used with poorly composed fertilizers, so you are better off with an optimal nutrient mix. This is especially true for potted hydrangeas, as they depend on an external supply.
Can the hydrangea fertilizer also be used for other plants?
Hydrangea fertilizers are suitable for all plants that have similar nutrient requirements. Therefore, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, bilberries (blueberries) and other ericaceous plants can be supplied with this fertilizer. Magnolias - which also prefer a more acidic pH value - also benefit from hydrangea fertilizer, but should be supplied with it less heavily. Hydrangea fertilizer is not universally applicable.
What else can I use to fertilize hydrangeas?
Many hydrangea lovers swear by fertilizing the flowering shrubs with dried coffee grounds. This is easily worked into the soil and - as it is organic - gradually releases its nutrients. Coffee acidifies the soil and thus ensures an optimal pH value. However, it is not suitable as the sole fertilizer, so you cannot completely do without a high-quality hydrangea fertilizer.
Which manufacturers offer high-quality hydrangea fertilizers?
There is a wide range of hydrangea fertilizers, which are sometimes also hidden under the names "hydrangea and rhododendron fertilizer" or "moorbed plant fertilizer". The composition varies depending on the manufacturer. Products from well-known brands such as Plantura, Compo, Dehner, Neudorff or Oscorna are particularly recommended. But manufacturers like Green24 also offer high-quality special fertilizers for hydrangeas.
Can I use the hydrangea fertilizers for all hydrangea species?
Hydrangeas come in a wide variety. The different species and varieties differ somewhat in their needs, but they all have these two things in common: the preference for slightly acidic soil and the need for a specific nutrient composition when fertilizing. Therefore, you can basically use hydrangea fertilizer for all hydrangea species.
When should you fertilize hydrangeas?
When and how often you fertilize your hydrangeas essentially depends on the fertilizer used. In any case, spring fertilization is necessary in April to start the growing season. If you use a hydrangea fertilizer with a long-term effect, the second fertilization takes place in June. You may be able to fertilize a third time at the end of August / beginning of September. Otherwise it has to be fertilized weekly.
equipment
Hydrangea blue / Fertilizer for blue hydrangeas
our recommendation
Compo Blue Hydrangea Fertilizer, Water Soluble, Blue Dye Activation, 800g
10.99 EUR To the productHydrangeas with blue flowers are particularly popular, but they only retain their attractive color with a certain amount of fertilization. Important here is an acidic pH value plus fertilization with aluminum and iron. In order to achieve the beautiful blue colour, fertilize your hydrangeas with a special blue fertilizer. Alternatively, you can also use alum.
hydrangea soil
our recommendation
COMPO SANA rhododendron and hydrangea soil with 8 weeks of fertilizer for all azaleas, ericas, camellias and hydrangeas, growing medium, 50 litres, brown
19.19 EUR To the productTo ensure that the pH value is just right for your hydrangeas, you can use special plant substrate for both garden and pot hydrangeas. When planting out in the garden, simply mix the excavation with the special soil. In addition to hydrangea soil, rhododendron soil is also suitable for flowering shrubs - the substrates have a very similar composition.