6 Common Types of Soil for Plants

Do you know that there are various types of soil for plants? Not everyone knows that different soil will affect plants’ growth. Most of them think that all soil is just the same and gardening is only a matter of picking the right plant and sticking it into the soil – hoping that it will grow and bloom. Well, it’s not as easy as it seems and the matter of soil types can actually affect the outcome.

Chalk Soil

Also known as lime rich, this one is somewhat stonier or rockier. It’s basically an alkaline type, which means that it’s not for all kinds of plants. Alkaline soil isn’t the same as acidic soil. Alkaline soil can be responsible for the stunted or slow growth of the plants. Not to mention that it can cause yellowish leaves because of its lack of nutrients.

The best plants for this soil include cabbage, lavender, aster, sweet corn, grapevines, ivy, beets, spinach, lilacs, and jasmine.

Clay Soil

The texture is what makes it unique. It is dense when wet, but hard when dry. Because of it, it may lead to poor drainage, which can cause bacterial infections. However, it’s also packed with nutrients, which is a good thing. Plus, it doesn’t drain fast. The most suitable plants for this soil are roses, lilacs, crab apple trees, and (summer) crop veggies, such as potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

Loam Soil

As one of the different types of soil for plants, loam soil is considered the most ideal ones for plants. It has humus, clay, and nutrients. Thanks to it, it has an ideal pH level with a little bit of acidic type. This type of soil is great for gardens, lawns, and shrubs. Not to mention that it can support the overall structure, meaning that plants can grow strong, sturdy, and solid.

The best plants for this soil is climber plants (such as ivy), shrubs (like hazel, juniper, and roses), berry crops (such as blueberries and strawberries), and veggies (like cucumbers, lettuce, onions, green beans, and peppers).

Peat Soil

It feels damp and spongy. Among the various types of soil for plants, it is commonly found in wetlands and boggy areas. It’s naturally acidic, which is helpful to hold up water. It also has tons of nutrients that can help with the plant's growth. But if you aren’t careful, the damp condition can lead to bacterial infection and rotting.

What are the best plants for this soil? Legumes, heather, or beans are good. Salad crops, azaleas, witch hazel, root crops, and rhododendrons are also good options.

Sandy Soil

It’s commonly used as a soil mixture. Sandy soil alone isn’t great because it gets easily washed away. Plus, it isn’t able to retain nutrients. The best plants for this soil are carrots, tomatoes, collard greens, lettuce, butterfly bush, lavender, and daylilies.

Silt Soil

It is fertile because of the packed and dense nutrients from organic matter. The texture is somewhat soapy and soft. It’s quite easy to grow plants within this soil. The perfect plants are onions, willow trees, birch trees, lettuce, broccoli, and climbers (for instance, ivy).

With different soils, you should know the best plants that will thrive well. With all of these types of soil for plants, you can now decide which plants to grow and own.