53 Acid Loving Plants That Grow Well in Acidic Soil

Understanding your soil is the first step to growing healthy vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers. Some plants grow well in acidic soils, others in alkaline soils, and others prefer a neutral pH.

Many garden plants prefer slightly acidic soil, while only some are true acid-loving plants that require strongly acidic conditions.

Yes, some plants thrive better in moderately acidic soil (pH 5.6 to 6.0), slightly acidic soil (pH 6.1 to 6.5), or strongly acidic soil (pH 5.1 to 5.5). A few plants can even tolerate strongly acidic soils (pH 4.0-5.0) [1]. pH 7 is the neutral point.

This article lists plants that prefer acidic soil.

Vegetables That Grow Well in Slightly Acidic Soil

Radishes: Radishes grow best in light, sandy loam. A quick-growing root crop, they thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Sweet potatoes: Unlike radishes, these crops require a long, warm growing season. Soils with a pH of 5.6 to 6.6 should suit them.

Peppers: Chili and bell peppers prefer well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Carrots: Another popular and versatile root vegetable, carrots need light, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil.

Cucumbers: These salad veggies are also acid-tolerant plants. Plant cucumbers in a sunny position in light, fertile soil that is slightly acidic.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are technically fruits but are commonly grown as vegetables in home gardens. However, they prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

Squash: Summer varieties take 60 days to mature. However, winter squash requires a longer growing season and milder conditions. Overall, squash prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Broccoli: Most brassicas, including broccoli, are cool-season crops. They grow best in cool, yet still sunny conditions and in slightly acidic soil.

Other Vegetables That Like Acidic Soil

Turnips: Both the roots and green tops can be eaten. Also, the plants need light and rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Parsnips: Like turnips, these roots have many culinary uses. You can also grow parsnips in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

Potatoes: Regular potatoes are more adaptable than other root crops but can tolerate acidic soil with a pH as low as 5 [2]. The soil acidity at this level also helps control common potato scab.

Beans: Most bean varieties will thrive in warm, sunny garden spots. Additionally, beans do well in slightly acidic and neutral soils.

Herbs That Like Acidic Soil

Horehound, parsley, lemon balm, garlic, basil, spearmint, chives, cilantro, and lemongrass are herbs that grow well in slightly acidic soil with a pH around 5.5 to 6.5.

Acid-Loving Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes

Blueberries: These acid-loving shrubs thrive in soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 [3]. Moreover, they are beautiful to look at and delicious to taste.

Cranberries: Cranberries are packed full of vitamins. They grow in similar conditions to blueberries.

Elderberries: These lovely elderberry shrubs produce berries that are great for making wine. They like a slightly higher soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Blackcurrants: These respond well to slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5. Additionally, these plants prefer full sun but will still grow in light shade. They also prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.

Raspberries: These summer fruits are relatively easy to grow at home. They prefer soil between 5.5 and 6.5 pH that is well-drained and fertile.

Lingonberries: These cold-hardy berry plants thrive in strongly acidic soil with a pH of about 4.5 to 5.5. Lingonberries are closely related to cranberries and blueberries. They also prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.

Huckleberry: These berry-producing shrubs thrive in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Huckleberries also prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.

Apples: Most apple trees grow best in regions with cool winters, and they enjoy a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Other fruit trees, such as peaches and nectarines, pears, figs, and pomegranates, benefit from garden soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.

Flowers That Like Acidic Soil

• Heather (Erica): Prefers acidic, well-drained soil, ideally with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.
• Lily of the Valley: This shade-loving ground cover grows well in slightly acidic soil and tolerates pH levels as low as 5.
• Camellia: This lovely, romantic flower, which blooms in gorgeous shades of pink and red, is often considered difficult to grow. However, this is usually because the soil is too alkaline. Camellias prefer acidic soils with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5 and prefer partial shade, especially in hot climates.
• Cyclamen: This attractive plant enjoys the middle range of acidity (5.5 to 6.5) and thrives well in full or partial shade.
• Foxgloves: These biennials, or short-lived perennials, are acid-loving flowers. They do best in dappled shade and soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
• Zinnias: These are bright and cheerful flowers that attract pollinating insects. Plant in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Moreover, zinnias like full sun and well-drained, fertile soil.
• Begonias: These annual or perennial flowers thrive in sandy, slightly acidic loam soil. Begonias also make elegant houseplants.
• Daffodils: These familiar spring-flowering bulbs prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil. They are also low-maintenance flowers that do well in pots.
• Impatiens: These colorful shade-loving flowers grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
• Bleeding Heart: This herbaceous ornamental enjoys slightly acidic soil. It also prefers humus-rich, moist soil and light shade.

Acid-Loving Shrubs and Trees

Blue hydrangeas: Hydrangeas need acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower to produce true blue flowers. Neutral or alkaline soil will turn the flowers pink.

Rhododendrons: These Asian beauties thrive in acidic soils with a pH of 4.5 to 6.0.

Azaleas: The best soil pH for these attractive garden plants is 4.5 to 6.0.

Gardenias: These elegant shrubs are tropical plants that tolerate acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5. Gardenias also serve as great indoor plants.

Fothergilla: With abundant white flowers in spring and gorgeous foliage in fall, these shrubs enjoy a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.0.

Magnolia: This beautiful flowering tree prefers soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0.

Oak trees: These prefer somewhat acidic soil. Willow oak tolerates a soil pH range of 4.5 to 5.5.

Holly bushes: These plants with green, shiny leaves are also acid-loving. They grow best in soils with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

Beech: A rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5 to 6.5 should ensure the healthy development of beech trees.

Testing Soil pH

Testing soil acidity can be done at home. You can purchase a soil test kit online or at the garden store. Professional services are also available.

pH levels range from 0 to 14, with slightly acidic to neutral soil (around 6.0 to 7.0) being ideal for most garden plants [4].

Making Soil More Acidic

Looking to increase the acidity in your soil?

You may have been having trouble getting your plants to grow. Or perhaps you want to try something new in your garden.

Whatever the reason, there are things you can do to increase the acidity in your soil naturally.

Common ways to acidify soil include adding elemental sulfur, pine needles, peat moss, composted oak leaves, or acidic organic matter. However, always test your soil before making major changes.

Takeaway

The correct soil conditions are essential for growing healthy plants. However, sometimes it takes trial and error to attain perfection.

This list of acid-loving and acid-tolerant plants is a helpful guide for choosing plants for acidic soil.

See also: 50 plants for alkaline soil.