Plants for Acid Soils: When you have a soil whose pH is low, that is, it is between 4 to 6, it is said that you have acid soil. Although this type of land is very harmful to many plants, such as olive trees or carob trees, for others, it is the best there is in the world.
Best Plants for Acid Soils
Plants for acid soils that maybe you did not know these plants for acid soils are great options to give color and variety to these types of gardens.
If you do not know which are the most interesting plants for acid soils, do not worry, because then you will be able to take a look at our list of suggestions.
Characteristics of acid soil
An acid soil is one that has a low pH, as we have said. But in addition, it is important to know that it is poor in phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium because of this. These three nutrients are very important for the growth of plants; however, there are many species that have managed to adapt so well that they could not grow in neutral or alkaline soils: they are called acid plants or acidophilic plants.
How to know if I have acidic land?
Very simple, you just have to follow this step by step:
- First, we take a couple of tablespoons of the earth in a glass of distilled water.
- Next, add a tablespoon of baking soda.
- Finally, if we see bubbles, we will know that the soil is acidic.
List of 8 Best Plants for Acid Soils
In case it stayed the same, we would take other samples and follow the steps, only this time, we would replace the baking soda with vinegar to know if it is alkaline. And if it still remains the same, the safest thing is that we have neutral ground.
1. Japanese Maple
They are large shrubs or deciduous trees native to East Asia whose scientific name is Acer palmatum. They reach heights between 5 and 15 meters, with the cultivars being the smallest. They like the corners protected from the direct sun and the cool climates with frosts in winter. In fact, they are able to withstand temperatures of up to -18 ° C; however, with temperatures above 30 °C, they have a hard time.
2. Azaleas
The azaleas are evergreen or deciduous shrubs originating in China that reach a height of up to 1.5 meters. Belonging to the genus Rhododendron, plants produce very beautiful flowers throughout the spring. In addition, they can be grown both indoors and in the garden, where they will be placed in semi-shade. They resist the cold until – 4ºC.
3. Camellia
La Camelia or Camelio, whose scientific name is Camellia japonica, is a perennial shrub native to East Asia. It reaches a height of up to 4-5 meters, acquiring the shape of a tree (a straight trunk with a branched crown growing at a good distance from the ground). It produces very beautiful flowers during the spring, autumn, or winter, of colors that go from white to red. It needs protection against the sun and, also, against frost since it only lasts until – 5ºC.
4. Daphne
The Dafne, whose scientific name is Daphne odora, is an evergreen shrub native to China and Japan. It reaches a height of 2-3 meters and produces very nice inflorescences of white or pink, perfumed. Unfortunately, its life expectancy is very short, from 8 to 10 years, but it resists frosts of up to -15ºC and direct sun.
5. Erica
The Erica or heather is a very branched shrub native to South Africa and reaches 1-1.5 meters. It has very small leaves, so much so that it can become almost completely hidden when it blooms in the spring. It needs to be protected from the direct sun to grow well, but frosts of up to -7ºC do not harm it.
6. Hydrangea
The Hortensia, belonging to the genus Hydrangea, is a deciduous shrub or perrenifolio depending on the species and originating climate in East Asia. It reaches a height of 1 to 5 meters, depending on the species. For much of the year, its flowers are grouped in large inflorescences, blue, purple, pink, or white. It needs to be in semi-shade, in an area where the frosts are not very strong. It supports up to -10ºC.
7. Magnolia
The Magnolia or Magnolia is an evergreen tree ( Magnolia grandiflora ) or deciduous depending on the original species of the United States and Asia. It can reach a height of up to 30 meters and acquire a more or less pyramidal shape. It produces large, aromatic flowers with soft colors during the spring. Resists until – 12ºC.
8. Carnivorous Plants
The carnivorous plants are considered acidic plants as grown in acid soils. But unlike “conventional” plants, they find so few nutrients that they have had to develop traps capable of attracting possible prey, which will become their food.
There are more than 200 species, each with its specific needs, but usually need a substrate composed of blond peat and perlite in equal parts, distilled or rainwater, a plastic pot, and protection against frost and direct sun.