12 Types of Plants That Like Alkaline Soil (With Pictures)

If you find yourself constantly tending to your garden, spending much of your time healing weak plants that should have all the perfect conditions to thrive—there may be a simple solution that can save your garden. Many plants actually enjoy growing in alkaline soil, and you may experience stunted growth if the soil you have is acidic.

Not to worry—there are many ways you can amend your soil to create the alkaline environment your plants need. To know which plants are ideal for growing in an alkaline garden, read the article below!

The 12 Types of Plants That Like Alkaline Soil

1. Lavender

Lavenders are gorgeous perennial herbs that thrive in well-draining soil. They enjoy soil that is almost sandy, moderately fertile, and alkaline. While these plants thrive in alkaline soil, they can survive in neutral or slightly acidic soil too. Since Lavenders are native to the Mediterranean, they thrive in the sun’s full exposure throughout the day. An essential step is to grow in soil that has excellent drainage properties.

2. Mums (Chrysanthemums)

Chrysanthemums are lovely plants that can survive in almost any type of soil and still give magnificent flowers. Overall, these plants adore basking in full sunlight exposure, around 6 hours a day. They prefer soil that has excellent drainage properties and consistent moisture. While these flowering plants love alkaline soil, they will provide excellent results when topped off with natural compost or peat moss, creating a neutral environment for them.

3. Daylilies

Daylilies are another flowering plant that needs plenty of natural sunlight to be as healthy as possible. Soil type is less important to them, although heavy soil and sandy soil are a preference. The soil needs to have excellent moisture-retaining properties and a slightly alkaline pH level. They enjoy it when the soil has good drainage, but a lack of this feature won’t affect their growth too much.

4. Yarrow

The yarrow plant is a unique-looking flowering plant with a lovely lacy texture with fragrant leaves. This plant is an absolute winner at xeriscaping due to its drought-resistant properties. Oddly enough, it thrives in soil with slightly alkaline properties. The soil’s drainage must be impeccable, and receiving full sunlight throughout the day can only increase your chances of a stunning bloom.

5. Lilac

The common lilac plant is a gorgeous addition to any garden, with its gentle yet firm exterior and sweet fragrance. Lilacs have special requirements when it comes to their ideal soil type. They need soil with well-draining, fertile properties, rich with humus, and with an alkaline pH level. If you have issues maintaining a perfect pH level, you can always add some compost or soil amendments.

6. Hydrangea

If you are a gardener that is looking to add some elegance to your landscape, the hydrangea is a perfect plant for you. This shrub will grow stunning clumps of flowers, ranging in all possible colors. The best part is—they are effortless to grow and maintain. There are several basic rules to keep in mind when growing this lovely shrub: provide it with well-draining soil, plenty of organic material, and light but slightly moist soil.

7. Parsley

Parsley is among the most popular herb grown at home, loved especially for its wonderful aroma and unique flavor. While this gorgeous plant can be easily grown from home, it cannot survive regular garden soil without any amendments. Providing the soil with plenty of organic matter is crucial to encourage powerful and strong growth. Parsley loves alkaline soil, although it mainly thrives with the soil’s pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.

8. Celery

Celery is another herbaceous plant, and similarly to parsley, it thrives in well-draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH value. The soil needs to be rich in organic matter, such as compost, manure, or leaf mold. Moisture-retentive soil is best because celery doesn’t enjoy dry conditions.

9. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a unique vegetable, belonging to the same group of vegetables as cabbage, broccoli, turnip, and Brussels sprouts. This vegetable will need some specific growing conditions if you are looking to have a successful year. It needs to have well-draining soil with moisture-retaining properties. The soil must be fertile and neutral to alkaline. It is necessary to test the soil for phosphorus and potassium levels to know which type of fertilizer you need to use.

10. Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a majestic and breathtaking tree with a rich history and culture. This remarkable tree has leaf fossils dating from 270 million years ago, meaning it could be one of the oldest living tree species. Ginkgo will thrive in sandy or loamy soil rich in organic matter. Excellent drainage needs to have an ideal balance with moisture-retaining soil, and an alkaline environment will make sure your tree thrives for hundreds of years.

11. Ornamental Cherry

Ornamental cherries are another stunning tree species grown mostly for the gorgeous floral display during spring. To produce a thriving tree in the US, you must be located in zones 5 to 8. The ornamental cherry prefers growing in an alkaline environment with well-draining soil. It is important to protect your tree from the strong wind, but also to provide it with ample sunlight.

12. Green Ash

Green ash is an excellent deciduous tree to grow in zones 2 to 9, primarily due to its fast growth and low maintenance. This tree will adore growing in the shade and will quickly adapt to any soil. While it can survive most soil types, it also loves growing in alkaline, sandy, or loamy soil. It can tolerate a slight drought but prefers wet or moist conditions.

Final Thoughts

After reading about which plants can thrive in alkaline soil, you can get the garden you’ve always wanted! These plants are generally very low maintenance and, with a little effort, can provide you with a long-lasting, marvelous landscape that you will enjoy being in daily.

Featured Image Credit: ajlatan, Shutterstock