15 Plants That Like Acidic Soil

To the naked eye, all soil looks more or less like the same dirt. But there are all sorts of soil, and they can differ significantly in composition. One aspect of soil that can vary is its pH level. A lot of soil has a neutral pH, while others lean more acidic or alkaline. The majority of plants prefer a neutral pH between 6.5 and just over 7, but some plants prefer more acidity. If you live somewhere with acidic soil, then you’ll want to find plants that thrive in this environment.

Some of the best flowering plants to grow in acidic soil include nasturtiums, azaleas, gardenias, begonias, and holly bushes. If you want to grow a tree in acidic soil, consider planting a magnolia, beech, dogwood, Colorado blue spruce, or a camellia tree. When your vegetable garden has a low pH, plant berries like blueberries, cranberries, or raspberries. Tomatoes and potatoes also prefer a slightly acidic environment. 

Many regions have acidic soil. If you live in a wet area, tropical climate, or somewhere with lots of granite, then there’s a good chance your soil has a lower pH than normal. If you don’t want to constantly adjust your soil’s pH, then it’s best to opt for plants that prefer acidity. Below is a list of the top fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees to plant in acidic soil.

Five Fruits And Vegetables That Like Acidic Soil

1. Blueberries

If you have acidic soil, one of the best plants to add to your garden is a blueberry bush. Blueberries are tasty and healthy berries that have all sorts of benefits. They can double as privacy hedges and provide beautiful foliage in the fall.

These berries also love acidic soil and might not produce much fruit without it. In addition to acidic soil, this fruit bush likes well-drained soil and full sun.

2. Cranberries

Blueberries aren’t the only berry that needs acidity to thrive. Cranberries are another fruit that needs acidity to succeed. In fact, these red berries like very acidic soil. They do best in soil with a pH between 4.0 and 5.5, which is fairly acidic. This makes them a great plant to try when you have soil with a particularly low pH. 

Cranberries do best in a cold climate. They also require consistent moisture. This makes them ideal for those who live in wet climates with acidic soil. 

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in a vegetable garden. There are many tomato varieties you can grow, and some are easier to cultivate than others. While some do well in neutral soil, others prefer higher acidity. 

Keep in mind that while tomatoes like slightly acidic soil, near 6.2, they don’t love overly acidic soil. If you have very acidic soil, then you’ll want to adjust your soil’s pH slightly to ensure a high yield of tomatoes.

4. Raspberries

Another berry that does well is the raspberry. These juicy and tart berries do best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.7. While this is not nearly as acidic as soil that blueberries or cranberries love, it is still considered slightly acidic. 

These plants like full sun and well-drained soil. They also prefer warmer climates, making them a great berry to grow in regions with short winters and longer growing seasons.

5. Potatoes

Potatoes are generally easy to grow, and they are even easier to cultivate in acidic soil. The best pH for these root vegetables is between 5.5 and 6.0. Some varieties of potatoes can tolerate even more acidic soil.

Some potatoes are considered “scab-resistant,” and they tend to do well in more acidic soil, making them a great option for those with particularly acidic dirt. 

Five Flowers That Like Acidic Soil

1. Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are a fantastic plant to add to a garden for those looking to grow edible flowers. Nasturtiums prefer slightly acidic soil, but this plant can thrive in all sorts of environments. It can even tolerate slightly alkaline soil.

This plant grows like a vine and is a great climbing plant for a pergola or trellis. It provides orange to red blooms that you can add to salads and other foods for beautiful color and presentation.

2. Azalea 

Azalea is a beautiful and resilient flowering bush that can offer stunning bursts of life and color throughout the year. It is known for its beautiful blooms, but also offers greenery when not flowering.

Azaleas love particularly acidic soil. You can grow it in soil with a pH as low as 4.5 to 6.0. It can tolerate neutral soil as well, making it an easy-to-grow flower for those with acidic to neutral soil.

3. Holly

No plant is more emblematic of the winter holidays than holly. There are many types of holly bushes, and they all prefer slightly acidic soil. When you plant this winter berry in alkaline soil, it can cause its signature leaves to turn yellow.

These plants like either full sun or partial shade, and can grow in many environments, including colder mountain regions.

4. Begonia

Begonia is a flower known for its bright and varying colors. It does great in planters, and can be grown inside or outdoors. While easy to grow in many environments, it does best in slightly acidic soil.

These flowers thrive in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, but can tolerate neutral soil as well. They also like well-drained soil and should be planted somewhere with sun and partial shade.

5. Gardenia

Gardenias are one of the most fragrant and beloved flowers on the planet. Their white blooms provide intoxicating aromas, making them a great plant to grow near a window or patio. 

This flowering bush likes soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. It loves tropical and subtropical environments, as it prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and plenty of moisture. 

Five Trees That Like Acidic Soil 

1. Magnolia

The magnolia flower is one of the first signs of spring. Its large, short-lived, and sweet-smelling flowers help make the magnolia tree a popular choice for homeowners living in climates with four seasons.

Magnolia trees can grow in various conditions, but they love full sun and prefer slightly acidic soil. These trees can live hundreds of years, so if you have acidic soil, planting a magnolia is a good investment.

2. Colorado Spruce

If you want to grow your own Christmas tree, or live in a region where evergreens thrive, then a Colorado spruce is a great tree for your acidic soil. Many evergreens like more neutral soil, but the Colorado spruce does best in slightly acidic conditions.

The best pH for this tree is around 6.0 to 7.5. This makes it a great choice to plant in cooler or mountainous regions with slightly acidic soil.

3. Beech 

The beech tree is known for its great wood, longevity, and beautiful fall foliage. This tree can live more than 300 years, and are native to Europe. They also do well in slightly acidic soil and grow in neutral soil.

Beech trees can grow quite tall, so it’s best to plant them far away from the house. They love lots of sun and well-drained soil.

4. Dogwood

Dogwood trees are another species that provide stunning flowers in the earliest days of spring. There are more than 50 species of dogwood trees to choose from, with varying characteristics and preferences.

Many dogwood trees enjoy slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Some varieties are particularly fond of acidic ground, including the creeping dogwood.

5. Camellia

Another beautiful flowering tree that you can plant in acidic soil is the camellia. This plant is considered a shrub and a tree, often depending on its size. It can grow to more than 60 feet tall or can maintain a shrub-like size. It is known for its bright flowers that bloom in the fall.

These trees can grow in both alkaline and acidic soils, and can tolerate a lower pH than many other flowering tree species.

Summing Up Plants That Like Acidic Soil

If you live somewhere with acidic soil, you may think growing a diverse garden is impossible. While it’s true that most plants prefer neutral soil, there are some that thrive in acidic soil. 

Some plants worth adding to a vegetable garden with high acidic soil include blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and potatoes. As for flowers, azaleas, begonias, gardenias, and nasturtiums all love a slightly acidic soil. If you want to plant a tree that can tolerate acidity, opt for a magnolia, dogwood, camellia, beech, or Colorado blue spruce.

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