Like humans, each plant likes a different environment to thrive. In a specific environment, some plants fail to thrive but also will blossom. The same is true for soil acidity. All plants don’t love acidic soil, however, others love acidic soil. Such plants are commonly known as acid loving plants like magnolias and Japanese anemones.
Acid loving plants like soil with a pH of about 5.5. High soil acidity comes from the breakdown of organic matter. Such soil is most often found in woodland due to the fallen leaves. The average pH of woodland soil is about 3.5-4.5. Before we talk about different acid loving plants, let’s talk about how to identify soil type…
How to Identify Soil Type?
There are two different ways to check the acidity of the soil as follows:
- Using a Soil pH Testing Kit: This is the most common and authentic way to check the acidity of the soil. Take a soil pH testing kit for measuring the alkalinity or acidity of the soil. 7 shows that the soil is neutral. Below 7 is acidic and above is alkaline.
- Types of Already-Grown Plants: An experienced gardener can identify the soil type by looking at the already-grown plants. If there are some acid loving plants you are already familiar with, it means the soil is acidic. Conifers, azaleas, and rhododendrons are some common acid loving plants.
Top 10 Most Popular Acid Loving Plants
Here are a few engrossing and popular plants that love acidic soil:
1. Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are very beautiful plants that thrive in acid soils. If you allow them to grow into a big bush, they will have magnificent look every summer. You can grow them at the boundaries of the garden for floral display.
Bees love the flowers of this plant that makes the pollination process very easy. If you have acidic soil in your garden, don’t ignore this superb plant!
2. Pieris Japonica
It is also referred to as Japanese Pieris which is a spectacular plant to grow. Many varieties of this plant are available that you can grow in acidic soil. Some of its varieties produce masses of stunning flowers. However, many gardeners grow these plants due to their leaf colors which are unique and showy in the spring.
3. Blue Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas plants are suitable to grow in acidic to neutral soil. However, if you want to grow them in acidic soil, they will happy there. These plants are pink, white, and blue. The interesting thing about this plant is that if you grow pink hydrangeas in acid soil, they will turn blue. As a result, you will have lilac, pink, and blue flowers on the same bush.
4. Daffodils
If you have acidic soil, we highly recommend you to grow daffodils in your garden once at least. Daffodils with their happy yellow heads look astounding in the garden. These are highly-scented followers that make them great cut flowers for the vase. Daffodils will fill your home or office with their heady perfume!
5. Heathers
Heathers are great edging plants if you plant them near the pathways. If you have acidic soil, you should grow them near pathways and let them spread. The arrival of their flowers in summer makes them eye-catching plants.
6. Magnolia
Magnolia is another spectacular acid loving plant. These are slow-growing plants that become outgrown-trees after a lot of years. They have a magnificent flowering display in the spring. The flowers of magnolia are pink and creamy white and have a large cup shape.
7. Marigolds
Marigold is a must-grown plant due to its so many uses. Apart from its uses, it has bright and engrossing flowers that make it fit to grow anywhere. Marigold is an acid loving plant. So if you have acidic soil in your garden, you can grow it anywhere in the garden. Because these plants don’t look out of place even if you grow them in the vegetable patch.
8. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are stunning acid loving plants with yellow, red, and orange color flowers. Gardeners only grow them due to their matchless beauty. These plants produce such an abundance of seeds and grow in number very quickly. Although you can grow them in neutral soil, they can thrive in acidic soil.
9. Camellias
Camellias provide an outstanding floral display in the spring and worth buying and grow. Many gardeners think that camellias are hard to grow. Because they require some extra care when the temperature dips too low.
10. Bilberries
Bilberries are wonderful small tubular plants that have white color in spring. However, the color turn blue-black in summer. You can grow them in your garden if you have acidic soil.