Acids and Bases in Nature’s Colors: Flowers and Litmus

Many flowers change color depending on soil pH, showing the effect of acids and bases.
Hydrangeas bloom blue in acidic soils and pink in alkaline ones.
Natural pigments called anthocyanins act as pH indicators in plants.
Anthocyanins turn red in acidic conditions and blue or purple in basic ones.
Litmus, made from lichens, is one of the oldest natural pH indicators.
In acid, litmus paper turns red; in base, it turns blue.
Gardeners use soil pH to influence flower colors, especially in hydrangeas.
The same pigments in flowers also give berries and red cabbage their vibrant hues.
These natural indicators inspired the development of synthetic pH testing tools.
Nature’s colors reveal hidden chemistry, blending beauty with science in every petal