Is the Hydrangea Poisonous? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Precautions

The phrase “a mass of blooming flowers” is perfect for describing the beautiful hydrangea. Although it lacks the splendor of the peony, the enchantment of the rose, the purity of the lotus, and the fresh fragrance of jasmine, it truly has its own unique charm. Its many small petals gather together, closely resembling the embroidered ball thrown in an ancient husband-choosing ceremony, and its flower colors are also very rich, with white, blue, and red all present. As an ornamental plant, the hydrangea is also quite commonly seen as a household potted plant. So is the hydrangea poisonous - is that true or not? What are the planting methods and precautions?

1. Is the hydrangea poisonous?

Whether the hydrangea is actually poisonous is a question many friends care about. Indeed, the hydrangea is a flower whose entire plant is toxic. Some friends also ask, if it has no fragrance, why is it poisonous? The toxicity of a plant is not judged by scent; it is generally spread through the sap of the flowers and leaves. So friends who keep hydrangeas at home, or friends who go outdoors to admire flowers, should not lean in too close to smell the hydrangea, and should not touch it with their hands. Generally, after coming into contact with a hydrangea, it is best to wash your hands immediately. If it contacts your mouth, it can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, and even more serious situations.

Although the hydrangea is beautiful, we can simply admire it quietly. Households with small children especially need to pay extra attention. If hydrangea poisoning occurs, seeking medical attention promptly can solve it; do not blindly handle it yourself.

Beautiful things always have two sides. So if you want to grow beautiful hydrangeas but are also afraid of causing harm to people, what should you do? Here are a few suggestions for everyone's reference.

1. Do not place it somewhere children can reach. Children are naturally lively and curious about everything, so it is hard to avoid them touching the hydrangea. Therefore, tell them not to touch it, and place the flower at a height or in a place that children generally cannot reach.

2. Do not put the hydrangea in the bedroom. Because the air in the bedroom is generally not as circulating, and you also sleep in the room, it is fine to place it on a ventilated, well-lit balcony or in the living room.

3. Households with a pregnant woman are not advised to keep hydrangeas. If you must keep them, place the flowers in the study or in an outdoor courtyard, which is also reasonable.

2. Hydrangea planting methods and precautions

(1) Hydrangea planting methods

1. First, prepare the pot for growing the flower, then prepare nutrient soil, and select good hydrangea seedlings. The commonly seen methods are division and cuttings; choose the specific one according to your planting situation.

2. Give it sufficient light. It can be placed on an east-facing balcony or in a relatively bright room. Remember not to expose it to strong sun; if the sunlight is too intense, it must also be moved indoors.

3. The suitable growing temperature for hydrangeas is between 15-25°C. Pay attention when it is too cold or too hot, and move it indoors or outdoors in time.

4. The potting soil must be kept moist, but do not water too much at one time. In summer, keep watering once every 1-2 days; in winter, decide according to the actual situation, and basically keeping it once a week is fine. When autumn is too dry, also keep spraying water on the leaves.

5. Hydrangeas that are dormant in winter should not be fertilized. During normal care, fertilizing once every half month is generally enough.

6. When repotting every spring, prune the plant; if there are too many new branches, remember to thin them out.

(2) Hydrangea planting precautions

1. Except in winter, the potting soil needs to be kept moist during the other three seasons, but there should be no standing water, so as to avoid root rot.

2. Hydrangeas are afraid of sun, so pay attention to shading in summer; spray water at the right time when the air is dry.

3. When the plant is growing too vigorously, prune or pinch off the growing tips in time.

4. Fertilization depends on the season.

5. Change the potting soil every spring. Generally, the flower color is determined by the soil pH: when acidic, it is blue; when weakly acidic or neutral, it is red.