Garden Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Rochelle Heath-Harris
If you landed here because you think this is an intriguing question, join the club! We thought so too. So what’s the answer? Is it possible to replant a florist’s hydrangea? Well, it’s complicated. Generally, if you got your hydrangea as a plant, then yes, it’s possible to replant it outdoors, at least during the growing season. But there are a lot more details to know about this.
According to the National Garden Bureau, “The word origin of hydrangea comes from the Greek words for water, hydros and jar, angos because some species are quite water thirsty. The hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan but is native to both Asia and the Americas.”
Hydrangeas are arguably some of the most resplendent flowers there are, and to see them in bloom in someone’s garden is a sight to behold. Typically, a florist cares for their plants well; likely better than other places you can buy plants from. But hydrangeas can be difficult to flower, and there’s more to know about hydrangea plants specifically obtained from a florist. So let’s get started.
What is a florist’s hydrangea?
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You see, there’s some confusion with this topic because often when people say “florist’s hydrangea” they’re referring to a slang name for a specific type of hydrangea. The big-leaf hydrangea is a common variety of hydrangea, and it has many names. One of those is florist’s hydrangea, as well as French and garden hydrangea. They’re particularly interesting because the color of their gorgeous blooms can be dramatically changed just by adjusting the pH balance of the soil. A pH balance higher than 6 produces pink flowers, while a pH balance of 5.2 to 5.5 will produce purple or blue flowers.
Florist’s hydrangeas got their nickname due to the fact that they’re “forced” into flowering for holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Easter, and are sold widely as blooming plants by florists. They make a stunning centerpiece or gift. Therefore, many people who receive these beautiful blooms may be wondering if they can replant them. In this case, the answer is: They can typically survive outdoors, but they also make lovely houseplants.
How to replant a florist’s hydrangea
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The main thing to remember with hydrangeas from a florist is that they were grown in unnatural conditions where they were forced into flowering, often for the holidays but also simply for the florist to display and sell in bloom. Therefore, they will need special care if you want to replant them outside. You’ll need to go through the process of hardening off the plant like you would do with seedlings. This is basically the process of acclimating the plant to the outdoors and the climate slowly.
Make sure you start when the weather gets warm, as hydrangeas don’t like the cold and will need protection from frost in the wintertime. Treat it as a houseplant during the cold season until you can start the hardening-off period. Keep in mind that you likely will not get a young florist’s hydrangea to bloom after replanting it for two or three years. Additionally, a florist’s hydrangea in bloom won’t bloom again in the same year, like they do naturally after they’re well-established.
