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Plants are listed here in columns according to the pH level they prefer.
Note that some are very sensitive to pH levels outside their tolerant range, in which case they will appear in more than one column even though they are coloured yellow as being "sensitive".
A plain background means the plant is fairly tolerant.
This green background means that this is an ideal pH for this plant.
This background means that this plant is very sensitive to the pH level of the soil.
This background is the ideal pH for this sensitive plant
pH 4.5 pH 5.25 pH 6.0 pH 6.75 pH 7.5
AzaleaAmerican Laurel (Kalmia)American laurel (Kalmia)Barberry (Berberis)Adam's needle (Yucca)
Bilberry (Vaccinium)AzaleaBoroniaBlackcurrant (Ribes)Barberry (Berberis)
CameliaBoroniaCalifornian lilac (Ceanothus)Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus)Blackcurrant (Ribes)
Chillean pernettya (Pernettya)Californian lilac (Ceanothus)Cinquefoil (Potentilla)Box (Buxus)Boston ivy
Flame of the forest (Pieris)CameliaClematisBridal wreath (Spirea arguta)Bridal wreath (Spirea arguta)
Heather (Erica)Cinquefoil (Potentilla)Currant, flowering (Ribes)Butterfly bush (Buddleia)Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
Hydrangea (Blue)Dogwood (Cornus)DaphneClematisClematis
LedumHeather (Erica)Dogwood (Cornus)CotoneasterCotoneaster
London season (Zenobia)LeucothoeFlowering currant (Ribes)Currant, flowering (Ribes)Currant, flowering (Ribes)
PhyllodocePhotinaFuchsiaDaphneDaphne
RhododendronRhododendronForsythiaDeutziaDeutzia
Rosemary (Rosmarinus)Grapevine (Vitis)Diervilla (Wygelia)Diervilla (Wygelia)
Snowbells (Stryax)Heather (some) Erica (some)EscalloniaEscallonia
Sweet fern (Comptonia)Hydrangea (Pink)EuonymusEuonymus
Leptospermum (Tea tree) JasmineFirethorn (Pyracantha)Firethorn (Pyracantha)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria)Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)Flowering Currant (Ribes)Flowering currant (Ribes)
Lavender (Lavendula)ForsythiaForsythia
LeucothoeFuchsiaGolden bells (Forsythia)
Mezeron (Daphne)GenistaGrape vine (Vitis)
Passion flower (Passiflora)Golden bells (Forsythia)Guelder rose (Viburnum)
PhotinaGrape vine (Vitis)Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Privet (Ligustrum)Guelder rose (Viburnum)Hydrangea (white)
Quince (Chaenomeles)HibiscusIvy (Hedera)
Rock Rose (Cistus)Honeysuckle (Lonicera)Japonica (Caesalpina)
Rose (Rosa)Hydrangea (pink)Jasmine (Jasminum)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus)Hydrangea (white)Jews mallow (Kerria)
SenecioIvy (Hedera)Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Snowbells (Stryax)Japonica (Caesalpina)Maple (Acer)
Spanish gorse (Genista)Jasmine (Jasminum)Mezeron (Daphne)
Sweet fern (Comptonia)Jews mallow (Kerria)Mock orange (Philadelphus)
Tea tree (Leptospermum)LavenderMyrtle (Myrtus)
Veronica (Hebe)Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)Peach (Prunus persica)
Vine (Vitis)Maple (Acer)Rock rose (Cistus)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria)Mezeron (Daphne)Rose mallow (Hibiscus)
Witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis)Mock orange (Philadelphus)Senecio
YewMyrtle (Myrtus)Spanish gorse (Genista)
Passion flower (Passiflora)Spirea
Peach (Prunus persica)St John's wort (Hypericum)
Privet (Ligustrum)Veronica (Hebe)
Quince (Chaenomeles)Vine (Vitis)
Rock rose (Cistus)Wisteria
Rose (Rosa)Witch hazel (Hamamellis mollis)
Rose of Sharon (Hypericum)Yucca
Rose mallow (Hibiscus)
Senecio
Spanish gorse (Genista)
Spirea
St John's wort (Hypericum)
Veronica (Hebe)
Vine (Vitis)
Wisteria
Witch hazel (Hamamellis mollis)
Yew (Taxus)
Yucca

How to use the information in the chart.

To make the best of the above lists, group plants with similar soil requirements. Also, avoid planting trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers and herbs in an unsuitable pH. For example, lilac bushes won't do much if their feet are sitting in acid soil, while potatoes will be dotted with scab if the soil is too sweet.
(Note: Don't use them as your only guide because other factors may lead to poor performance.)




pH Plant Preference Lists
Food Plants |  Ornamental Plants |  Trees |  Shrubs |  Potted Plants


See also...
Identifying Your Soil Type
How pH Affects Plant Foods
Finding Soil's pH
Raising Soil pH
Lowering Soil pH
pH Plant Preference Lists


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