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TikTok Tip Says Coffee Grounds Can Deepen Hydrangea Blue

The clip illustrates how lowering soil pH can make aluminium more available to certain hydrangea types and change flower colour.

Overview

  • A TikTok video by user Brittany (handle allegedlybrittany) showing side-by-side plants drew heavy attention on July 5–6, 2026 with roughly 145,000 likes and widespread UK media pickup.
  • Coverage describes the horticultural mechanism as coffee grounds lowering soil pH, which increases soluble aluminium that some hydrangeas absorb to produce blue petals.
  • The effect is limited to aluminium‑responsive varieties such as lacecap, bigleaf and mophead hydrangeas and will not turn oakleaf or smooth types like Annabelle blue.
  • Commenters quoted by the outlets recommended simple methods—sprinkling grounds and watering or pouring cooled used coffee at the roots—but the reports treat these as user tips rather than tested advice.
  • Outlets emphasised that the clip is an anecdotal demonstration rather than a controlled study, and it prompted many gardeners to ask how to try the method themselves.