71 Plants That Grow in Sandy Soil

Do you like plants? Does your yard have sandy soil? If so, many plants thrive in sandy soil, and we’ll show you some of the best ones.

Many people think plants cannot grow well in sandy soil because it drains quickly and does not hold water or nutrients for very long [1]. While sandy soil can be challenging, many plants grow happily in it.

Plants Suitable for Sandy Soil

Below are some of the best plants to grow in sandy soil.

Vegetables

Not all veggies thrive in rich, fertile soil. Many popular vegetables grow well in sandy soil.

Below are 16 vegetables that grow well in sandy soil:

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Peppers
• Corn
• Squash
• Zucchini
• Collard Greens
• Asparagus
• Radishes
• Beans
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Garlic
• Beets

Herbs

Some herbs can also be grown in sandy soil. Below is a list of seven of the best ones.

• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Sage
• Lavender
• Tarragon
• Chamomile

Flowers

Many colorful flowers grow well in sandy soil because they like good drainage and sunny weather.

Below are 15 of the best flowers for sandy soil. Many of these flowers can withstand heat and drought better than other flowering plants.

Some of these are also perennials that will do well in coastal humidity.

• Cranesbills
• Tulips
• Lavender
• Salvias
• Black-Eyed Susans
• Sedum
• Phlox
• Foxglove
• Coneflower
• Butterfly Weed
• Cosmos
• Cleome
• Daylily
• Blanket Flower
• Zinnia

Shrubs

Some shrubs thrive in drier soil, adding texture to your sandy landscaping.

Tamarisks, or salt cedars, as they’re commonly called, are an excellent option for a shrub species that can survive in this soil type. These shrubs are drought-tolerant and have a feathery appearance that will draw attention [2].

Below are the 14 best shrubs that do well in sandy soil:

• Rose of Sharon
• Common Broom
• Caryopteris ‘First Choice’
• Hardy Fuchsia
• Sweet Fern
• Red Chokeberry
• Flowering Quince
• Tamarisks
• Juniper
• Rugosa Rose
• Golden Barberry
• Wild Irish Rose
• Tree Heath
• Sand Dune Willow

Fruit Trees

There are plenty of fruit trees that can be grown in sandy soil. Below are 14 of them:

• Jujube
• Guava
• Pomegranate
• Cherry
• Kei Apple
• Fig
• Loquat
• Date Palm
• Persimmon
• Citrus
• Almond
• Peach
• Apricot
• Mulberry

Indoor Plants

Have you ever wanted to bring a beach feel into your home?

Well, I have good news for you! The following five houseplants grow well in sandy, well-drained potting mixes.

Cacti store water in their fleshy stems and are well-suited for sandy soil. Other houseplants that grow well in sandy, well-drained potting mixes include aloe vera, snake plants, ZZ plants, and jade plants.

How to Care for Plants That Grow in Sandy Soil

Many plants grow well in sandy soil, but they often need a little more care than plants growing in other soil types.

Sandy soil dries out quickly, so most plants need water more often than they would in other soil types.

Many garden plants growing in sandy soil benefit from fertilizer during the growing season. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 mix, works well for many garden plants growing in sandy soil.

You can also use cover crops to help retain nutrients in the soil and prevent them from being washed away. With enough water, nutrients, and room to grow, many plants can thrive in sandy soil.

Advantages

Sandy soil has its advantages.

It is easy to till and has good drainage. Because water drains away quickly, plants are less likely to suffer from some diseases caused by wet soil.

Sandy soil is also more likely to warm up in the spring than other soil types.

Moreover, because it is well-drained, it benefits most flowering plants. It is also good for plants that like dry, well-drained soil.

This soil type drains quickly after a rain shower, reducing your garden’s susceptibility to flooding.

Although sandy soil is not the best choice for every plant, many vegetables, flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees grow well in it.

If you have a sandy soil garden at home, it is worth looking for plants suited to that soil type and planning your garden around them.

How to Improve Sandy Soil

You can make sandy soil better by mixing in compost, aged manure, leaf mold, or other organic matter.

These materials help the soil hold more water and nutrients, making it easier for plants to grow strong and healthy.

Where to Buy Seeds

Now that you know all our top picks for sandy-soil-loving plants, it’s time to start looking for the right seeds. To make this process as easy as possible, you can start by shopping online.

Many garden centers offer a wide selection of seeds, but online stores such as  SeedsNow and Seed Needs are excellent options if you don’t have one near you.

Takeaway

A surprising number of plants can thrive in sandy soil, and with some know-how, you can grow some of these plants in your garden or backyard.

Be sure to select plants suited to your climate and soil type. Sandy soil can take a little extra care, but choosing the right plants makes gardening much easier.

You can create a yard full of plants that prefer sandy soil with patience and care.