--- title: "It’s Not You, It’s Your Garden Soil’s pH: 11 Acid-Loving Plants That Can Thrive Where Others Die" description: "The following shrubs, perennial flowers, fruits, vegetables, and trees should survive in acidic soils with lower pH." date: "2024-07-26" modified: "2024-07-26" authors: - name: "Audrey Stallsmith" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/audrey-stallsmith/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/acid-loving-plants/" categories: - "Gardening" - "Landscaping" - "Lawn & Garden" tags: - "News" --- # It’s Not You, It’s Your Garden Soil’s pH: 11 Acid-Loving Plants That Can Thrive Where Others Die ![A woman is holding many hydrangea plants.]() *Photo: sanjeri/E+ via Getty Images* Though gardeners can’t see it, soil pH (acidity or alkalinity) is an important contributor to the health (or demise) of plants. The high availability of some nutrients in acidic soil can actually harm some plants. 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). As [Cornell University Cooperative Extension]() notes, “Most plants grow best 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 taken up by plants’ roots. If you don’t know your soil’s pH, you can purchase [soil tests]() to 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 can [apply lime]() to sweeten the soil or grow acid-loving plants, which not only tolerate such conditions but thrive on them. ## 1. Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) ![A big leaf hydrangea plant with large cluster of blue flowers.]() *Photo: Federica Grassi/Moment via Getty Images* This shrub is famous for how its round “mophead” clusters of blooms change color due to the amount of aluminum they mop up from their soil. According to the [North Carolina Cooperative Extension](), “For a hydrangea with blue flowers, the soil pH should be acidic with a pH between 5 and 5.5…A soil pH of 6 or more will cause aluminum in the soil to not be available to the plant and results in a [hydrangea with pink flowers]().” Give this large-leafed plant morning sun followed by afternoon shade or dappled shade in a position with constantly damp but [well-draining soil](). **Best For:** Container, cottage garden, woodland garden **Hardiness Zones:** 6 to 11 ## 2. Gardenia (Gardenia spp.) ![Gardenia plant with multiple white flowers.]() *Photo: Santiago Urquijo/Moment via Getty Images* Among the sweetest smelling of the acid-loving plants with its glossy foliage and waxy white or yellow blooms, gardenia prefers a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. In fact, the [University of Florida Extension ]()recommends, “Where soil pH is above 7.0…consider an alternative plant or try [growing your gardenia]() in a container.” Even for a potted gardenia, though, gardeners should provide an acidic potting soil. The shrub prefers full sun or partial shade and should be planted high (with its crown slightly above soil level). **Best For:** Container, shade garden, [foundation planting]() **Hardiness Zones:** 7 to 11 ## 3. Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) ![Pink rhododendron flowers.]() *Photo: Catherine McQueen/Moment via Getty Images* As with gardenia, members of the [rhododendron genus]()—which includes azaleas—prefer to be planted high in well-draining ground. According to the [American 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 placing them in a raised bed. To prevent the scorching that sometimes results from too much sun, locate these shrubs—with their showy funnel- or bell-shaped flowers and often leathery foliage—in dappled light under tall trees or give them only morning sun. **Best For:** Border, hummingbird garden, shade garden **Hardiness Zones:** 4 to 8 ## 4. Gentian (Gentiana spp.) ![Multiple blue flowers growing in the garden.]() *Photo: Martin Siepmann/imageBROKER via Getty Images* Often labeled difficult but offering truly blue blooms, gentians may be considered touchy simply because their preferences differ according to species. The [Alpine Garden Society]() notes that, “Unlike their spring-flowering cousins, most autumn-flowering gentians are intolerant of lime in the soil,” which makes them acidic soil plants. So, it’s a good idea to opt for autumn types such as *Gentiana* *asclepiadea* or *G. septemfida* if your pH is low. They need well-draining but constantly moist ground, and their light requirements depend on which species you are growing. **Best For:** [Alpine garden](), hillside garden, rock garden **Hardiness Zones:** Varies from 3 to 7 ## 5. Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) ![Multiple pink and purple Japanese iris flowers.]() *Photo: I love Photo and Apple./Moment via Getty Images* Among the most forgiving of plants, Japanese irises tolerate somewhat soggy conditions, and they also like an acidic soil mix with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. However, that tolerance extends only so far. [Cascadia Iris Gardens]() warns that these irises “do not do well in alkaline soil, and introducing lime or bone meal to the soil will kill them.” Their large, flattish blooms range in size from 4 to 12 inches across and the flowers like to bask in full sun. **Best For:** Border, [cutting garden](), rain garden **Hardiness Zones:** 4 to 9 ## 6. Oriental Lily (Lilium, Oriental Hybrids) ![Large orange lily flowers.]() *Photo: Jackson and Perkins* Showy Oriental lilies often sport contrasting bands of color and beauty spots on blooms up to 9 inches wide. The proper pH for lilies that grow from bulbs varies according to the type you are cultivating. [BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine]() recommends acid soil for plants of the oriental type and neutral to alkaline soil for all other varieties. Keep in mind that most lilies do best with their roots shaded and their heads in the sun. **Best For:** Border, [cottage garden](), cutting garden **Hardiness Zones:** 3 to 9 ## 7. Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) ![Blueberry bush with a lot of fruit.]() *Photo: Jackson and Perkins* Blueberry is related to the aforementioned rhododendrons and requires sour conditions to produce its sweet berries. That generally means a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Unlike the rhodies, it prefers full sun for abundant harvests, but can produce some berries in partial shade. You can [grow the bushes]() with their waxy leaves and urn- or cup-shaped pink or white blooms in half-barrels filled with acidic planting soil if you position two types near each other to improve pollination. Be sure to use only acidic fertilizer for blueberries, more accurately described as acid-forming [fertilizer](). **Best For:** Berry garden, hedge, songbird garden **Hardiness Zones:** 3 to 8 ## 8. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) ![A person harvesting an eggplant from the garden.]() *Photo: alvarez/E+ via Getty Images* Being one of those vegetables that will accept [soil types]() with almost any pH between 5.5 and 7.5, eggplant is an egg-cellent choice for your acid soil. A [heat-tolerant species]() with attractively large lobed leaves and violet 1½-inch blooms, eggplant will not tolerate cold, so avoid setting it out until after your nighttime temperatures remain above 50 degrees. Although the plants require full sun, make sure there is enough foliage to shade their fruits, which may sunburn otherwise. **Best For:** Container, pollinator garden, vegetable garden **Hardiness Zones:** 9 to 11 ## 9. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) ![Potatoes harvested from the garden.]() *Photo: Johner Images/Johner Images Royalty-Free via Getty Images* Although extremely acid soil generally isn’t considered the [best soil for growing vegetables](), potatoes thrive in it, since it eliminates one of their common diseases. According to [Wisconsin Horticulture Extension]() “scab problems tend to disappear when soil pH is less than 5.2.” Just be sure that these acid-loving vegetables with their pinnate leaves and small blue, pink, purple, or white blooms receive at least 6 hours of sun per day. Give them well-draining soil and feed them with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants to avoid raising their pH above 6.5. **Best For:** Container, vegetable garden **Hardiness Zones:** 2 to 11 (annual) ## 10. Oak (Quercus spp.) ![A large oak tree.]() *Photo: Fast Growing Trees* [Oak trees]() generally prefer acidic conditions, though a few of them—such as live oak (*Q. virginiana*) and post oak (*Q. stellata*)—will tolerate alkaline soil with a pH up to 7.5. Although their foliage varies widely in appearance and can be either deciduous or evergreen, all oaks produce acorns, though it may take some species 2 years to do so. Most prefer full sun and well-draining soil, but swamp white oak (*Q. bicolor*) will tolerate wetter conditions, though it doesn’t require them. **Best For:** Shade tree, street tree, [woodland garden]() **Hardiness Zones:** Varies from 2 to 11 ## 11. River Birch (Betula nigra) ![River birch trees with peeling bark and yellow leaves.]() *Photo: Fast Growing Trees* The river birch is an easy native tree to grow. According to [Clemson University](), it “requires acidic soils and may suffer from leaf yellowing, or chlorosis, caused by an iron deficiency at soil pH levels of 6.5 or higher.” Otherwise, birch is an easy-to-grow tree, with attractively peeling bark on young specimens, scaly bark on older ones, and serrated leaves with lighter undersides. It likes damp but well-draining soil and full sun. **Best For:** Children’s garden, shade tree, woodland garden **Hardiness Zones:** 4 to 9 ## Author A writer for over 30 years, Audrey Stallsmith has specialized in garden-related nonfiction for the last 10 years. She has been writing for BobVila.com since October of 2020 and is also a mystery novelist and photographer.