Plants for acid soils

View of Acer palmatum leaves

When you have a soil whose pH is low, that is, it is between 4 to 6, it is said that you have an acid soil. This type of soil, although it is very harmful to many plants, such as olive trees or carob trees, for others it is the best there is in the world.

If you don’t know which are the most interesting plants for acid soilsDon’t worry, because below you will be able to take a look at our list of suggestions .

Acidic soil characteristics

View of acid soil

Image – Interempresas.net

An acid soil is one that has a low pH, as we have discussed. But also, it is important to know that because of this it is poor in phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. These three nutrients are very important for plant growth; However, there are many species that have managed to adapt so well that they could not grow in neutral or alkaline soils: they are the so-called acidic plants or acidophilic plants.

How do I know if I have an acid soil?

Very easy, you just have to follow this step by step:

  1. First, we put a couple of tablespoons of soil in a glass with distilled water.
  2. Then we add a tablespoon of baking soda.
  3. Finally, if we see that it bubbles, we will know for sure that the soil is acidic.

If it remained the same, we would take other samples, and follow the steps, only this time we would replace the bicarbonate with a jet of vinegar to see if it is alkaline. And if it still remains the same, we will most likely have a neutral ground.

List of plants for acidic soils

Japanese maple

Specimen of Acer palmatum 'Senkaki'

Acer palmatum ‘Senkaki’

They are large shrubs or deciduous trees native to East Asia whose scientific name is Maple palmate. They reach heights between 5 and 15 meters, with cultivars being the smallest. They like corners protected from direct sun, and cool climates with frost in winter. In fact, they are capable of withstanding temperatures down to -18ºCHowever, with temperatures above 30ºC they have a hard time.

azaleas

Azalea in bloom, a beautiful shrub

Our azaleas They are evergreen or deciduous shrubs from China that reach a height of up to 1,5 meters. Belonging to the genus Rhododendron, they are plants that produce very pretty flowers throughout the spring. In addition, they can be grown both indoors and in the garden, where it will be placed in semi-shade. They resist cold down to -4ºC.

Camellia

Pink-flowered camellia, a plant for acidic soils

La Camelia or Camelio, whose scientific name is Camellia japonicais an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. It reaches a height of up to 4-5 meters, acquiring the shape of a small tree (straight trunk with a branched crown growing at a good distance from the ground). It produces very pretty flowers during spring, fall or winter, in colors ranging from white to red. You need protection against the sun and also against frost, since it only resists up to -5ºC.

Daphne

Daphne odora, an acid plant

El Daphne, whose scientific name is daphne smellsis an evergreen shrub native to China and Japan. It reaches a height of 2-3 meters, and produces very beautiful white or pink inflorescences, scented. Unfortunately, their life expectancy is very short, 8-10 years, but resists frost down to -15ºC and the direct sun.

Erica

Heather plant, ideal for acid soils

La erica or heather is a highly branched shrub native to South Africa that reaches a height of 1-1,5 meters. It has very small leaves, so much so that when it blooms, in spring, they can be almost completely hidden. To grow well it needs to be protected from direct sun, but frosts down to -7ºC do not harm you.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas, beloved acidophilic plants

La hydrangea, belonging to the genus Hydrangea, is a perrenifolio or deciduous shrub depending on the species and / or climate originating from East Asia. It reaches a height of 1 to 5 meters, depending on the species. Its flowers are grouped in large inflorescences, blue, purple, pink or white for much of the year. It needs to be in semi-shade, in an area where the frosts are not very strong. Supports up to -10ºC.

Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangeana, in full bloom.

Magnolia x soulangeana, in full bloom.

La Magnolia o Magnolia is an evergreen tree (magnolia grandiflora) or deciduous depending on the species native to 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 up to -12ºC.

Carnivorous plants

Darlingtonia californica in habitat

darlingtonia californica

Our carnivorous plants they are considered acidic plants, since they grow in acidic soils. But unlike “conventional” plants, they find so few nutrients that they have had to develop traps capable of attracting potential preywhich will become their food.

There are more than 200 species, each with its specific needs, but generally they need a substrate composed of blond peat and perlite in equal parts, distilled or rain water, a plastic pot and protection against frost and direct sun.

Do you know other plants for acid soils?

Plants for acid soils

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