It’s Not You, It’s Your Garden Soil’s pH: 11 Acid-Loving Plants That Can Thrive Where Others Die

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Though gardener ca n’t see it , soil pH ( acidity or alkalinity ) is an significant contributor to the wellness ( or demise ) of plant . The high accessibility of some food in acidulent soil can actually harm some plant . In general , soils in areas with high rainfall ( like the Southeast U.S. ) tend to be more acidic than those in dry conditions ( like the desert Southwest ) .

AsCornell University Cooperative Extensionnotes , “ Most plant grow good in soils with a pH of 6.0 or 6.5 to 7.4 . ” In very acidic soil , some nutrients get bound up , preventing their being take aim up by plants ’ roots . If you do n’t know your grime ’s pH , you may purchasesoil teststo determine it . Should you discover that your soil is highly acidic , with a pH between 4.5 and 5.8 , you have a couple of alternatives . You either canapply limeto dulcorate the dirt or grow acid - have sex plants , which not only tolerate such status but thrive on them .

A woman is holding many hydrangea plants.

Photo: sanjeri/E+ via Getty Images

1. Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

This shrub is far-famed for how its orotund “ mophead ” cluster of blooms change color due to the amount of atomic number 13 they mop up from their soil . According to theNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension , “ For a hydrangea with grim flowers , the soil pH should be acidic with a pH between 5 and 5.5 … A land pH of 6 or more will cause aluminum in the soil to not be usable to the flora and results in ahydrangea with pink flowers . ” Give this declamatory - leafed flora break of the day Sunday followed by good afternoon shade or dappled shade in a position with constantly damp butwell - drain soil .

Best For : Container , cottage garden , forest gardenHardiness Zones:6 to 11

2. Gardenia (Gardenia spp.)

Among the sweetest smell of the acid - get laid plants with its glossy foliage and waxy ashen or yellow blooms , gardenia prefers a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 . In fact , theUniversity of Florida Extensionrecommends , “ Where land pH is above 7.0 … weigh an substitute plant or trygrowing your gardeniain a container . ” Even for a potted gardenia , though , gardeners should leave an acidic potting soil . The shrub prefers full sunshine or partial shade and should be found eminent ( with its summit slightly above soil level ) .

well For : Container , shade garden , foundation plantingHardiness Zones:7 to 11

3. Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)

As with gardenia , member of therhododendron genus — which includes azalea — prefer to be planted richly in well - draining ground . According to theAmerican Rhododendron Society , the pH for rhododendrons and azaleas should be between 4.5 and 6.0 . So opt for acid planting soil and fertilizer for acidic - loving plants if you are pose them in a recruit layer . To preclude the scorching that sometimes lead from too much sunshine , locate these shrubs — with their showy funnel- or bell - shape flush and often leathery foliage — in dappled light under marvellous trees or give them only daybreak Lord’s Day .

Best For : Border , hummingbird garden , spectre gardenHardiness Zones:4 to 8

4. Gentian (Gentiana spp.)

Often labeled difficult but declare oneself truly blue-blooded blooms , gentians may be deliberate touchy only because their druthers differ according to mintage . TheAlpine Garden Societynotes that , “ Unlike their spring - blossom cousins , most fall - flower gentian are illiberal of linden in the filth , ” which makes them acidic soil flora . So , it ’s a good idea to opt for fall type such asGentianaasclepiadeaorG. septemfidaif your pH is low . They need well - drain but constantly dampish ground , and their light requirement depend on which species you are produce .

well For : Alpine garden , hillside garden , stone gardenHardiness Zones : Varies from 3 to 7

5. Japanese Iris (Iris ensata)

Among the most forgiving of plants , Nipponese irises put up somewhat marshy conditions , and they also care an acidic territory mix with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 . However , that tolerance gallop only so far . Cascadia Iris Gardenswarns that these irises “ do not do well in alkaline ground , and introducing lime or osseous tissue meal to the soil will kill them . ” Their bombastic , flattish blooms swan in sizing from 4 to 12 inches across and the flower like to bask in full sun .

Best For : Border , cut garden , rain gardenHardiness Zones:4 to 9

6. Oriental Lily (Lilium,Oriental Hybrids)

Showy Oriental lily often sport contrast bands of color and beauty spot on blooms up to 9 column inch wide . The proper pH for lily that grow from bulbs varies accord to the type you are civilise . BBC Gardeners ’ World Magazinerecommends dot soil for plants of the oriental type and neutral to alkaline ground for all other varieties . Keep in head that most lilies do well with their base shade and their heads in the Dominicus .

well For : Border , cottage garden , write out gardenHardiness Zones:3 to 9

7. Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Blueberry is related to the aforementioned rhododendrons and requires moody status to bring about its sweet-flavored berries . That in the main signify a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 . Unlike the rhodies , it prefers full Sunday for abundant harvest home , but can bring forth some berries in fond nuance . You cangrow the busheswith their waxy leaves and urn- or cup - shaped pink or blanched blooms in half - barrels filled with acid planting soil if you pose two types near each other to meliorate pollenation . Be indisputable to use only acidic fertilizer for blueberries , more accurately name as dose - formingfertilizer .

Best For : Berry garden , hedge , songbird gardenHardiness Zones:3 to 8

8. Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Being one of those vegetables that will acceptsoil typeswith almost any pH between 5.5 and 7.5 , eggplant is an egg - cellent selection for your acid dirt . Aheat - tolerant specieswith attractively orotund lobed leaf and violet 1½-inch blooms , garden egg will not brook cold , so avoid set it out until after your nighttime temperatures remain above 50 level . Although the plants demand full sun , verify there is enough foliage to fill in their fruits , which may burn otherwise .

comfortably For : Container , pollinator garden , veggie gardenHardiness Zones:9 to 11

9. Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Although extremely acid soil generally is n’t regard thebest soil for growing veg , potatoes flourish in it , since it eliminate one of their common disease . agree toWisconsin Horticulture Extension“scab problem run to disappear when grime pH is less than 5.2 . ” Just be sure that these acid - make out vegetable with their pinnate leaf and small blue , pinkish , empurpled , or ashen peak receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day . Give them well - debilitate soil and prey them with a plant food for acid - loving plants to annul kick upstairs their pH above 6.5 .

Best For : Container , vegetable gardenHardiness Zones:2 to 11 ( annual )

10. Oak (Quercus spp.)

Oak treesgenerally choose acidulous conditions , though a few of them — such as live oak tree ( Q. virginiana ) and post oak tree ( Q. stellata)—will digest alkaline soil with a pH up to 7.5 . Although their foliage varies widely in appearance and can be either deciduous or evergreen , all oak tree bring out acorn , though it may take some coinage 2 years to do so . Most opt full sun and well - draining grime , but swamp white oak ( Q. bicolor ) will tolerate wetter weather , though it does n’t require them .

considerably For : Shade tree , street tree , woodland gardenHardiness Zones : Varies from 2 to 11

11. River Birch (Betula nigra)

The river birch rod is an easy aboriginal tree to grow . According toClemson University , it “ requires acid stain and may suffer from leaf yellowing , or chlorosis , induce by an iron insufficiency at soil pH point of 6.5 or higher . ” Otherwise , birch is an easy - to - grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , with beautifully peeling barque on young specimen , scaly bark on onetime one , and serrate leaves with lighter underside . It likes moist but well - draining grease and full Lord’s Day .

Best For : Children ’s garden , shade tree , woodland gardenHardiness Zones:4 to 9

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

A big leaf hydrangea plant with large cluster of blue flowers.

Photo: Federica Grassi/Moment via Getty Images

We ’ll avail you fix up your first garden — whether that ’s a few sight on your patio , a raise bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and take the right plant for your grease and neighborhood .

Gardenia plant with multiple white flowers.