Another uses of aluminum sulfate are in gardening. Because aluminum sulfate is extremely acidic, it’s sometimes added to very alkaline soils to balance the pH for plants. When the aluminum sulfate comes into contact with water, it forms aluminum hydroxide and a much diluted sulfuric acid solution, which alters the soil acidity. Gardeners who plant hydrangeas apply this property to change the flower color (blue or pink) of the hydrangeas because this plant is very sensitive to soil pH.