Will pruning make my hydrangea bloom more?

Yes, pruning encourages new growth, which is where the flowers will form. Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so early spring pruning is perfect.

Can I move my hydrangea to more sun?

Yes, but do it in the fall or early spring when the plant is dormant. Make sure to water it well after moving it to help it settle in.

Smooth Hydrangea: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Observe how many hours of direct or bright light the plant gets.
Look for nearby trees or structures casting deep shade.
Check if the stems are bending toward a specific direction.

Likely causes

Insufficient light
Possible
How to tell: The stems will be long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant is stretching toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot that receives more bright, indirect light. If it is in deep shade, consider trimming back nearby branches to let more sun reach the hydrangea.
Improper pruning
Possible
How to tell: The plant looks sparse and spindly despite getting enough light. This often happens when the plant is not pruned back to encourage thicker growth.
What to do: Prune the plant back in late winter or early spring to encourage new, vigorous stems. Cut the stems down to about 12 to 18 inches from the ground.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your smooth hydrangea

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Legginess is rarely a sign of a dying plant, but it does affect the number of blooms you will get. It is a cosmetic issue that you can fix with better light and seasonal pruning.

Stopping it coming back

Plant in a location with adequate light and prune annually to keep the structure dense and healthy.

Smooth Hydrangea: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your smooth hydrangea and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will pruning make my hydrangea bloom more?: Yes, pruning encourages new growth, which is where the flowers will form. Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so early spring pruning is perfect.
Can I move my hydrangea to more sun?: Yes, but do it in the fall or early spring when the plant is dormant. Make sure to water it well after moving it to help it settle in.

Why is my smooth hydrangea growing so leggy?