How to Grow Hydrangeas in Containers for Beautiful Blooms on the Porch or Patio

Hydrangeas are a garden favorite thanks to their cloud-like blooms and classic charm. Best of all, you don’t need a vast estate to enjoy them. Planting in containers is a wonderful, rewarding way to enjoy these beautiful flowers—even if you're short on space.

However, before you start growing hydrangeas on the porch or patio, there are a few tips and tricks you should know. Here, we spoke to gardening experts and got the best advice—follow this step-by-step guide, and your hydrangeas will thrive in containers.

Benefits of Container Growing

There are plenty of practical and aesthetic benefits to growing hydrangeas in containers. Here are a few to consider before you get started.

Soil Control

One of the main benefits of growing in containers is the level of control you have over the soil.

“If your garden soil is too alkaline, too acidic, poorly drained, or heavily compacted, then containers allow you to control the growing medium and skip that problem completely,” says master gardener Mary Jane Duford. “You can choose soil that matches the needs of the hydrangea species and monitor it over time.”

Climate Flexibility

Since containers can be moved from place to place, they give your hydrangeas a level of flexibility that they wouldn't have otherwise.

“In southern zones, pots can be shifted to afternoon shade during intense summer heat," says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "In northern zones, containers can be moved to a greenhouse, garage, or protected area during winter to avoid root freeze."

Design Possibilities

Vater says you can use containers to frame entryways, soften patios, or create a dramatic allée of blooms. 

“In addition to bringing hydrangea blooms to a new place in the garden, planting them in containers is great if you don’t have a garden space, adding beauty to your front step or patio," says Ryan McEnaney, professional gardener and author of Field Guide to Outside Style. 

When to Plant

“The best times to pot up hydrangeas are spring or early fall, when temperatures are moderate,” says Vater. Summer planting is also fine, so long as you pay extra attention to watering. 

“All hydrangeas can be great in a deco pot for a single season, and smaller varieties can stay in containers for years,” McEnaney adds.

Best Hydrangeas for Containers

For a successful container display, experts recommend choosing dwarf or compact hydrangea cultivars that won’t quickly outgrow their pots. “Lots of newer varieties are much more compact than older favorites,” Duford notes. 

Here are five top-performing hydrangeas that are particularly well-suited to container life.

Fairytale Bride Cascade Hydrangea

This award-winning cascade hydrangea should top your list if you're looking for a showstopper. Duford says Fairytale Bride has a spreading growth habit that's ideal for planting in a patio container, or a hanging basket. “If I could only grow one hydrangea in a container, it would be this one,” she adds.

Pop Star Reblooming Hydrangea

This reblooming lacecap features vivid pink or electric blue blooms, depending on soil pH, and grows to about 18 to 36 inches tall and wide, delivering color and versatility. “I love using this in pots and paired with trailing annuals and tall ornamental grasses to add movement,” says McEnaney. 

Summer Crush Bigleaf Hydrangea

Summer Crush is a rebloomer with vibrant raspberry red or deep neon purple flowers. It grows to a maximum height of 36 inches, so it's ideal for pots, says McEnaney. He notes that it also blooms often, complements grasses and perennials, and provides a dramatic impact in small spaces.

FlowerFull Smooth Hydrangea

For those drawn to classic-looking hydrangeas, FlowerFull offers white flowers and exceptionally strong stems that withstand wind and rain, McEnaney says, making it an excellent option for more exposed patio spots—or climates with unpredictable summer weather.

Little Hottie Panicle Hydrangea

If you love the conical blooms of panicle hydrangeas but need something small-scale, this one’s for you.

“Little Hottie is the most compact and is covered in bright white flowers from top to bottom,” says McEnaney. “And those flowers don’t burn in the summer sun!” With strong performance in full sun and a petite habit, experts say it’s one of the best panicle types for containers, especially in warmer climates.

How to Plant

Your hydrangeas will only grow and thrive if they're carefully placed in the proper container. Here's how to do it the right way, according to our experts.

Choose the Ideal Container

Pick a pot at least 18 to 24 inches wide and deep. “Larger is better for root health and moisture retention,” Vater says. In terms of material, terracotta, glazed ceramic, or thick resin work well, but avoid thin plastic in hot areas. Drainage holes are a must.  

If your container will be hard to move later, she suggests placing it on pot feet or a rolling caddy before filling it.

Prep Your Potting Mix

Use a high-quality potting mix with compost or organic matter added for moisture retention. Bigleaf and mountain types can have their bloom color influenced by soil pH—acidic soil for blue flowers, alkaline for pink, Vater notes.

Pot It Up

Loosen the roots if they're bound, then add soil mix to the bottom of the pot. Center the hydrangea with the crown slightly above the soil line. Fill in and water deeply.

Care Instructions

Caring for hydrangeas in containers is similar to caring for them in the garden—with a few special considerations. Here's everything you need to know.

Water

Since container soil dries out quickly, McEnaney suggests checking it every few days by sticking your finger in to the second knuckle. If dry, soak thoroughly, let it drain, then water again.

Sun

Hydrangeas tend to prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. In hot climates, protect them from harsh afternoon rays to prevent scorched leaves and faded blooms, says Vater.

Fertilizer

Container hydrangeas rely on you for nutrients. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, and a liquid feed midseason for rebloomers, says Vater.

Overwintering

In warmer zones, “hydrangeas often overwinter outdoors just fine with mulch,” says Vater. After the first hard freeze in colder zones, move pots into a sheltered space.

McEnaney recommends keeping the plant dormant with about a cup of water per month and bringing it out after your final spring frost.

Pruning

“As with in-ground hydrangeas, you need to know the type of hydrangea (species) before pruning," Duford says. Bigleaf and mountain varieties—which often bloom pink or blue—flower on old wood, meaning their buds form in the fall. These should be pruned just after flowering in summer to preserve next year’s blooms.

In contrast, Vater says, panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be safely pruned in late winter or early spring.

Mistakes to Avoid

Despite everyone's best intentions, there are a few common pitfalls when it comes to growing hydrangeas in containers.

• Too Small of a Container: Vater says small pots dry out fast and crowd roots. Choose a container at least 18 to 24 inches in size.
• Full Sun Exposure: In warm climates, too much sun can scorch your plants. Aim for filtered or afternoon shade.
• No Drainage: Always use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
• Pruning at the Wrong Time: Incorrect timing can sacrifice blooms. Know whether your hydrangea blooms on old or new wood.
• Inconsistent Watering: Hydrangeas need regular watering, especially in summer. Skipping water leads to stress and fewer flowers, Vater says.