If you have alkaline soil in your yard, it can be a challenge to find plants that will thrive there. Fortunately, there are several plants that can tolerate high soil pH.
So, what are some plants for alkaline soil? Plants for alkaline soil include: Coral Ardisia, Dense Mullein, Fourwing Saltbush, Foxtail Barley, Gloriosa Lily, Spotted Gum, Spring Cinquefoil, Statice, Sweet Mock Orange, and Weld. Some of these trees have attractive foliage and can grow quite tall.
Of course, some of these plants prefer full sun, while others tolerate partial or full shade.
In this article, we’ll talk about 10 plants for alkaline soil. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.
Let’s begin.
10 Plants For Alkaline Soil
There are plenty of plants for alkaline soil, but here are 10 to start with:
- Coral Ardisia
- Dense Mullein
- Fourwing Saltbush
- Foxtail Barley
- Gloriosa Lily
- Spotted Gum
- Spring Cinquefoil
- Statice
- Sweet Mock Orange
- Weld
Let’s begin with Coral Ardisia
Coral Ardisia
Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata) is a perennial shrub that produces tiny (less than 1 inch) fragrant white flowers in late spring or early summer.
Image Courtesy of user:
Dick Culbert via:
Wikimedia Commons:
https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Ardisia_crenata,_the_Coral_
Berry_(13883678418).jpg
Coral Ardisia needs moderate moisture levels and resists drought. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Coral Ardisia tolerates partial or full shade. It can tolerate a wide range of acidic to alkaline soil (pH of 3.5 to 9.0).
Coral Ardisia can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8a (as cold as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or –12 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 feet, with a width of 4 to 5 feet.
You can propagate Coral Ardisia by division, stem cuttings, tip cuttings, or by seed.
You can learn more about Coral Ardisia from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Coral Ardisia from Pernell Gerver Plants (note it cannot be shipped to some U.S. states).
Dense Mullein
Dense Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum) is a perennial herb that produces showy, small (1 to 2 inches) yellow flowers in summer or early fall.
Dense Mullein needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Dense Mullein needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Dense Mullein can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with a width of 1 to 3 feet.
You can propagate Dense Mullein by seed (the plant is self-fertile).
You can learn more about Dense Mullein from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Dense Mullein from Plant Good Seed.
Fourwing Saltbush
Fourwing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens) is a semi-evergreen shrub that produces tiny (under 1 inch) yellow flowers in spring.
Fourwing Saltbush needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Fourwing Saltbush needs full sun. It prefers slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 7.4 to 9.0).
Fourwing Saltbush can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 2a (as cold as -50 degrees Fahrenheit or –46 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 feet, with a width of 8 feet.
You can propagate Fourwing Saltbush by tip cuttings or seed.
You can learn more about Fourwing Saltbush from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Fourwing Saltbush from Great Basin Seeds.
Foxtail Barley
Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum) is a perennial grass that produces showy medium (2 to 3 inches) pink to reddish-purple flowers in summer.
Foxtail Barley needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Foxtail Barley prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Foxtail Barley can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet.
You can propagate Foxtail Barley by seed.
You can learn more about Foxtail Barley from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Foxtail Barley from Morning Sky Greenery.
Gloriosa Lily
Gloriosa Lily or Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba) is a deciduous perennial vine that produces showy large (4 to 5 inch) red, pink, orange, and yellow flowers in summer or fall.
Gloriosa Lily prefers moderate moisture levels, although in nature it is adapted to heavy rainfall followed by drought when it becomes dormant. Too much water will cause root rot and damage the plant.
Gloriosa Lily prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers alkaline soil (pH of 7.9 to 9.0).
Gloriosa Lily cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9a (as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit or –7 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet, with a width of 2 to 3 feet.
You can propagate Gloriosa Lily by division, or stolons and runners.
You can learn more about Gloriosa Lily from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Gloriosa Lily from Terra Ceia Farms.
Spotted Gum
Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) is an evergreen tree that produces showy white flowers.
Image Courtesy of user:
John Robert McPherson via:
Wikimedia Commons:
https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Corymbia_maculata_flowers_
7th_Brigade_Park_
Chermside_P1070886.jpg
Spotted Gum needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Spotted Gum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Spotted Gum cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9a (as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit or –7 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 230 feet in nature!
You can propagate Spotted Gum by seed.
You can learn more about Spotted Gum from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Spotted Gum from Rare Palm Seeds.
Spring Cinquefoil
Spring Cinquefoil (Potentilla crantzii) is a perennial herb that produces showy yellow flowers in spring or early summer.
Spring Cinquefoil needs somewhat dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Spring Cinquefoil prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Spring Cinquefoil can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5b (as cold as -15 degrees Fahrenheit or –26 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 2 to 6 inches.
You can propagate Spring Cinquefoil by division.
You can learn more about Spring Cinquefoil from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Spring Cinquefoil from Bluestone Perennials.
Statice
Statice (Limonium californicum) is a perennial herb that produces showy tiny (less than 1 inch) bicolor (lavender and white) flowers in summer, fall, or early winter.
Image Courtesy of user:
Dick Culbert via:
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Limonium_californicum–_Sea_Lavander_
(27289258654).jpg
Statice needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Statice prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Statice can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8a (as cold as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or –12 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches, with a width of 12 to 24 inches.
You can propagate Statice by seed.
You can learn more about Statice from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Statice from Watershed Nursery.
Sweet Mock Orange
Sweet Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius) is a deciduous shrub that produces showy, fragrant, tiny (less than 1 inch) white flowers in spring or early summer.
Sweet Mock Orange needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Sweet Mock Orange prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Sweet Mock Orange can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 8 to 10 feet, with a width of 6 to 8 feet.
You can propagate Sweet Mock Orange by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Sweet Mock Orange from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Sweet Mock Orange from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Weld
Weld (Reseda luteola) is a biennial herb that produces fragrant, tiny (less than 1 inch) yellow or yellow-green flowers in summer.
Weld needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Weld prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 9.0).
Weld can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet.
You can propagate Weld by seed (the plant is self-fertile).
You can learn more about Weld from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Weld from Plant World Seeds.
Conclusion
Now you know about 10 plants for alkaline soil and how to take care of them. They might provide inspiration to help you to improve your landscape and provide more shade in your yard.
You can also learn about trees for alkaline soil in my article here.
I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.
If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy!
~Jonathon