50 Plants That Like Alkaline Soil

Before you start planting, it’s essential to know the soil’s pH since not all plants require the same range of soil acidity.

Alkaline soil, or “sweet soil,” has a higher pH than acidic soil. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with pH 6.5 to 7.5 being neutral [1]. Soil with a pH above 7.5 is considered alkaline, while soil below 6.5 is acidic.

Read on for a list of plants you can grow in alkaline soil. But be sure to test the pH of your garden soil using a test kit before you start planting.

Vegetables That Thrive in Alkaline Soil

You can buy the vegetable seeds you wish to grow after determining whether your soil is alkaline, neutral, or acidic.

You can grow a wide range of vegetables in alkaline soil. However, many vegetables on this list require frequent watering and at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Here are 23 alkaline-tolerant vegetables to grow:

Broccoli Rabe
Swiss Chard
Mizuna
Turnips
Onion
Spinach
Okra
Lettuce
Broccoli
Bok Choy
Artichoke
Garlic
Kale
Brussels Sprouts
Amara
Cucumbers
Pole Beans
Carrot
Tatsoi
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Beets
Asparagus

Alkaline-Loving Herbs

Most culinary herbs thrive in soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5, slightly acidic to neutral. However, some herbs prefer alkaline soil, while others are flexible.

Here are seven of the best herbs for gardens with alkaline soil:

Fennel
Thyme
Arugula
Marjoram
Celery
Oregano
Bay laurel is used as an herb in cooking.

Best Fruit Trees for Alkaline Soil

Some fruit trees are alkaline-tolerant plants, while others thrive in different environmental conditions. Below are ten fruit trees that like alkaline soil.

After testing your soil, you can plant alkaline-friendly plants if the pH is in the ideal range.

Tamarind
Prickly-Pear Cactus
Olive
Pomegranate
Goji Berry Bush
Jujube
Jackfruit
Passion fruit
Mamey fruit
Pistachio Tree

Houseplants That Like Alkaline Soil

Like your favorite flowers and veggies, indoor houseplants thrive best in a specific pH range.

So, it’s essential to check the soil in their pots and containers every so often to ensure they’re growing in the best possible soil.

Some houseplants love alkaline soil, but most prefer a neutral to mildly alkaline potting mix. Below are five houseplants that you can grow in alkaline soil:

Aloe Vera
Oxalis
Asparagus Fern
Begonia
Geranium

Flowers for Alkaline Soil

A variety of flowering plants thrive in alkaline soil. We’ve included five on this list. Choose your favorites and get planting!

Borage
Lavender
Lily of the Valley
California Poppies
Phacelia

How to Make Soil More Alkaline

First, it’s important to know what type of soil you have. Is it chalky, peaty, sandy, clayey, or silty?

It could also be a mixture of more than one type. For example, loam combines sand, silt, and clay soils.

The next step is to test the pH of your garden soil. Below, we’ll look at how to increase soil pH organically.

Step 1: Test Your Soil

To test the pH of your soil at home, get a soil test kit from a local garden center or online. Alternatively, have it tested at your local extension office.

Step 2: Raise the pH Naturally

You can do a few things to increase your soil’s pH naturally.

Once you’ve determined how much to increase the soil pH and what to use, it’s time to incorporate the solution into the soil.

You can use a tiller, rake, shovel, or any other tool to do this, but ensure that the amendment of choice is blended into the soil.

Below are some options to raise your soil pH organically.

1. Garden Lime

Using garden lime is a common way to raise soil pH levels for crops that grow best in alkaline soil. The quantity of agricultural lime you use may vary based on the demands of your soil.

The average quantity is 1 cup per 50 square feet of garden. However, lime may burn plants if used excessively, so do not overdo it.

2. Wood Ashes

Wood ashes are a cheap way to increase soil pH, although the results aren’t as long-lasting.

Apply wood ash to the soil’s surface and water well. A basic guide is to apply 20 pounds for every 1,000 square feet of garden.

But be careful when applying, as not all plants like wood ash. Ashes may harm certain plants, such as blueberries and azaleas, which thrive best in acidic soil.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another option that makes the soil more alkaline. It is also a fast and simple way to save money.

Even though it does not last as long as lime, baking soda can produce benefits in less than two weeks. Moreover, when used in the correct proportions, it is relatively mild on soil and plants.

Add one tablespoon of baking soda for every gallon of water. Use this ratio as a guide for larger or smaller applications.

However, as it can create an imbalance, don’t use too much baking soda in your garden. Repeat every few months to keep the soil pH at its ideal level.

Step 3: Water the Area Well

Ensure that the soil is well-moistened but not waterlogged.

Overwatering may have adverse effects, including leaching minerals and nutrients from the soil. So, be careful not to overdo it.

Step 4: Test the Soil pH Again After a Few Months

You should test the soil every few months to see whether the pH has changed. This will determine whether you have utilized the right quantities and whether the method is still effective.

It will remain longer because garden lime decomposes more slowly than wood ashes or baking soda. However, the benefits of a high soil pH may take longer to appear.

Takeaway

The soil pH level in your garden varies. Frequent testing will help you choose the right soil for plants that prefer alkaline soil.