Gardening expert's simple breakfast staple to ensure 'beautiful blue' hydrangeas

HYDRANGEAS PRODUCE BIGGER AND MORE BOUNTIFUL BLOOMS WHEN FED THE RIGHT BREAKFAST STAPLE, ACCORDING TO A GARDEN EXPERT WHO HAS SHARED THE "EASY" WAY TO GET 'BEAUTIFUL

BLUE' FLOWERS 16:58, 20 May 2025 Hydrangeas are renowned for their delightful blooms and can produce more substantial, lush flowers with the help of a key breakfast staple before the

summer season kicks in. Sprinkling coffee grounds around these plants is a nifty trick as they contain nitrogen – an essential nutrient that fosters healthy growth, bolsters leaf

development, and is crucial for blooming. Without sufficient nitrogen, hydrangeas can exhibit yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and blossoms that look feeble or may not emerge at all. Garden

expert Susan Conforte McNeill, who established the lifestyle blog Susan Said What, divulged that using coffee grounds doesn't just act as an excellent fertiliser; it's also a

simple method to turn the colour of your hydrangeas. READ MORE: Beauty buffs find 'genius' way to make fake tan last longer - it sells every 20 seconds On this, she remarked:

"I've learned that turning a hydrangea blue naturally, with no harsh chemicals, can actually be easy. Just add... coffee!" Nonetheless, before you go about feeding your

hydrangeas some caffeine leftovers, it’s wise to check the soil's pH level, since while acidity is beneficial up to a point, excessive amounts could damage the plant. Susan suggests

conducting a soil pH test to ensure the ground is primed perfectly for hydrangeas to flourish and yield "big, beautiful blue blooms" when summertime arrives. Her recommendation for

obtaining soil pH testing kits is to look for them in home and garden specialty shops, large retailers or even online through portals like Amazon. Article continues below To use coffee

grounds as a fertiliser, simply mix them with a bit of water and introduce the solution to the soil around your hydrangeas. Pouring used and leftover distilled coffee into the soil is also a

great way to reduce food waste, reports the Express. Susan explained: "To adjust the acidity of the soil, coffee grounds are the simple, easy and free solution." She added:

"The increased acidity from coffee grounds makes it easier for the plant to absorb naturally occurring aluminium in the dirt, resulting in beautiful blue flowers." While this

method takes some time and should be done just once a month, it can significantly boost your hydrangeas, encouraging the production of vibrant blue flowers come summertime. Coffee grounds

aren't just an effortless fertiliser; they also enhance soil drainage, aerate the earth, and deter pests and pets from approaching your hydrangeas. Susan remarked: "Many gardeners

swear that coffee grounds are also helpful in keeping slugs and snails away from plants. "Similarly, the coffee is helpful as a cat repellent and will keep neighbourhood cats from using

your flower beds as a litter box." Article continues below She concluded with a tip: "So, brew an extra pot and sit down to a delicious cup of Joe... with your plant!"