Good soil is the foundation of healthy plants. There are several different soil types, including sandy, loam, clay, or silt. Some soils are better for plants than others, with most native soils needing some sort of amending. It’s crucial to know which kind of soil type you have, and if you need to improve it before adding plants to your yard.
Clay is one of the most challenging soils to deal with. It is characterized by a heavy, sticky consistency when wet, becoming hard and dense when dry. This can restrict the flow and uptake of water and nutrients for plants, impede root growth, and cause water to pool, which can cause root rot and other diseases. Amending clay soil with compost or other rich organic matter improves soil consistency and drainage, while providing crucial nutrients to plants. Also remember, that organic matter does break down over time, so plant slightly high to allow for this.
Some plants are more adaptable to clay soil than others, while there are plants that thrive in clay soil. Here are some of the best clay soil plants.
Zones: 2-9, depending on the variety Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Pyramidal or mounding habit Height/Spread: 2 to 70 feet tall, 2 to 25 feet wide Bloom time: Flowers insignificant.
Arborvitae is a coniferous tree or shrub with blue-green, gold, or green foliage. This hardy evergreen is commonly used as privacy hedging or in shrub borders. Arborvitae prefers well-drained, loamy soils, but is adaptable to different soils including clay.
Zones: 3-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
This fall-blooming perennial produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple. Use in mixed borders or native gardens. Asters can grow in clay soil if amended with organic matter. Poor drainage can lead to root rot.
As a gardener dealing with clay soil can be frustrating. Clay soils tend to get waterlogged easily, drain poorly, and compact into a hard, concrete-like mess when they dry out. However with some patience and know-how, you can have a thriving garden even in stubborn clay dirt. Certain plants are well-adapted to clay soil’s unique challenges. By choosing the right plants and taking some simple steps to improve drainage, you can create a clay-tolerant garden that thrives.
Why Clay Soils Are Challenging for Plants
Clay particles are very small and compact together tightly, leaving little space for air pockets. This results in poor drainage and aeration. When clay soil gets wet, the spaces between particles swell up, blocking oxygen from reaching plant roots. Once the soil dries, it becomes hardened and tough for roots to penetrate.
Additionally, clay soils tend to be nutrient-deficient. Negatively charged clay particles bind tightly to positively charged nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, making them less accessible to plants. Acidity is also a common issue, as clay soils tend to have higher acidity levels.
Best Plants for Clay Soil
While clay presents challenges, many plants are well-adapted to these conditions. Plants that flourish in clay soils often have deep, thick taproots that push through compacted layers. Their roots help open up the soil structure. Here are some excellent options:
Sun-Loving Plants
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Daylilies – Extremely tough, adaptable perennials with tuberous roots. Available in many colors.
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Black-eyed Susans – Reliable native wildflowers. Yellow or orange daisy-like blooms.
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Coneflowers – Drought and heat-tolerant native prairie wildflowers Purple is common but many color options exist,
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Butterfly weed – Brilliantly colored orange/yellow/red flowers that attract pollinators. Taproots improve drainage.
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Coreopsis – Cheery tickseed wildflowers in yellows, reds, and oranges that bloom repeatedly.
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Sunflowers – Fast-growing, easy annuals. Larger types can have deep roots to handle clay soils.
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Zinnias – Low-maintenance annuals in a rainbow of colors. Grow quickly with minimal fuss.
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Salvias – Herbaceous perennials or annuals depending on climate. Spiky blooms attract hummingbirds.
Shade-Tolerant Plants
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Hostas – Big, bold leaves come in blue, green, gold. Showy summer flower spikes. Spreading rhizomes aid drainage.
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Astilbes – Moisture-loving perennials with feathery flower plumes. Do well in heavy, wet clay.
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Hellebores – Early bloomers with gorgeous nodding flowers. Tolerate poor drainage.
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Heucheras – Grown for ruffled leaves that come in many colors. Clumping roots.
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Ferns – Prefer moist, sheltered sites. Rhizome root structures help break up clay.
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Bleeding hearts – Whimsical flowers in spring. Go dormant after blooming, avoiding droughty periods.
Ornamental Grasses
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Miscanthus – Graceful, fine-textured grasses that add movement. Adaptable and low-maintenance.
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Pennisetum – Love moisture retention. Feathery bottlebrush blooms. Dwarf types available.
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Panicum – Tall switch grasses. Airy blooms turn golden in fall. Spread clumpily to improve drainage.
Improving Drainage in Clay Soil
While some plants tolerate clay soil well, you can make their lives easier by taking steps to improve drainage and aeration. Here are some tips:
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Loosen the top layers of soil by double-digging beds to allow air and water movement.
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Work in 2-3 inches of organic compost or manure annually. This opens up clay’s structure.
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Add gritty materials like sand, pea gravel, or small stones. Aim for 20-30% grit mixed in.
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Build raised garden beds and container gardens to bypass compacted native clay.
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Ensure clay areas have proper slope and drainage. Redirect downspouts and runoff if needed.
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Grow cover crops like clover or alfalfa to actively improve soil structure with deep roots.
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Mulch gardens to reduce evaporation and surface compaction. Organic mulches also improve as they break down.
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Be careful not to over-till clay soils when wet, as this can lead to compaction.
Great Plants to Start With
By selecting plants naturally adapted to clay soils and taking small steps to improve drainage, you can have a thriving garden, even with stubborn heavy clay dirt. Some great options to start with include daylilies, black-eyed Susans, purple coneflowers, and ornamental grasses like miscanthus. With the right plants and practices, your clay soil challenges can be overcome!
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FOUNTAIN GRASS (Pennisetum spp.)
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Zones: 5-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
Fountain grass produces graceful foliage and large, feathery flower plumes from summer into fall. Use this drought-tolerant perennial in a curbside planting or waterwise landscape. Amend clay soil with organic matter to prevent root rot.
Shadowland® Hudson Bay. Photo by: Proven Winners
Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Part sun to shade Habit: Upright clumping habit Height/Spread: 2 inches to 4 feet tall, 5 inches to 5 feet wide, depending on the variety Bloom time: Summer
Hosta is one of the best plants for shade and clay soil. This hardy perennial is grown for the attractive foliage in a range of colors, patterns, and shapes. Use in shade borders and mass plantings. Amend clay soil with organic matter, as poor drainage can lead to root rot.
Find more on growing hosta.
Limelight Prime® Panicle Hydrangea. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial sun to shade Habit: Upright bushy or arching habit Height/Spread: 3 to 15 feet tall, 3 to 12 feet wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
One of the most popular landscape shrubs, hydrangea produces large, showy flower heads with different colors and forms. Use in a woodland setting or shrub border. Hydrangea can be planted in clay soil as long as it’s amended with rich organic matter.
Find more on growing hydrangea.
Photo by: iPixela / Shutterstock.
Zones: 3-10 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 8 to 70 feet tall, 7 to 40 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to summer, with some rebloom
Magnolia is one of the most popular landscape trees, with elegant cup-shaped flowers that put on a show-stopping display in spring and summer. This deciduous or evergreen tree is adaptable to different soils including clay, preferring acidic soil with good drainage.
Find more on growing magnolia.
Cinderella swamp milkweed. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 1 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide Bloom time: Summer
Milkweed is a host plant for monarch butterflies, with flowers that attract beneficial pollinators. Most milkweeds are tolerant of different soils, while swamp milkweed can thrive in wet clay. Plant in a pollinator garden or wildflower meadow.
Find more on growing milkweed.
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Zones: 2-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Bushy or ground cover habit Height/Spread: 3 inches to 4 feet tall, 6 inches to 5 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to fall
Potentilla is commonly used in home and commercial landscapes for its carefree nature, long bloom time, and exceptional hardiness. This bush or ground cover is one of the best ground covers for clay soil. Use in mass plantings or along a slope for erosion control.
Find more on growing potentilla.
Denim n Lace Russian Sage. Photo by: Proven Winners
RUSSIAN SAGE (Perovskia spp.)
Zones: 4-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Early summer to fall
This woody perennial produces silvery foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes for a show-stopping effect in the summer landscape. Russian sage prefers hot conditions and lean soil, and is tolerant of clay as long as there is adequate drainage. Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot.
Find more on growing Russian sage.
Rock N Low® Boogie Woogie Stonecrop. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright, mounding or creeping habit Height/Spread: 3 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
Sedum is a succulent plant with flowers that add late season color to the landscape. Also known as stonecrop, this carefree perennial tolerates lean and poor soils, including clay, as long as there is good drainage. Use in waterwise borders, or plant along a rock wall.
Find more on growing stonecrop.
Double Play Doozie® Spirea. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 4-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Mounding bushy habit Height/Spread: 2 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 6 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to summer
This versatile shrub is a favorite of home gardeners for its colorful foliage and lacy flower clusters that appear in spring to summer. Spirea is useful in mixed borders or foundation plantings, and adapts well to clay soil as long as there is good drainage. Amend clay soil with organic matter to prevent standing water, which can cause root rot.
Find more on growing spirea.
Prairie Winds® Apache Rose Switchgrass. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 4-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright, arching or vase-shaped habit Height/Spread: 3 to 8 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 5 feet wide Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Native to North American prairies, switchgrass is a warm-season ornamental grass with steely blue foliage and delicate cloud-like flower plumes that add fine texture to mixed borders and native landscapes. One of the few plants that love clay soil, switchgrass prefers lean soil and moist conditions.
Find more on growing switchgrass.
Blue Muffin® Arrowwood Viburnum. Photo by: Proven Winners
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Zones: 2-11, depending on the variety Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 3 to 20 feet tall, 3 to 12 feet wide Bloom time: Spring to summer
This deciduous or evergreen shrub is grown for its prolific flower clusters, colorful berries, and brilliant fall foliage that lends multi-seasonal appeal. Use in foundation plantings or native borders. Viburnum is adaptable to a range of soils, including clay, as long as there is adequate drainage.
Find more on growing viburnum.
Red Wall® Virginia creeper. Photo by: Proven Winners
40 Perennial Plants for CLAY Soil in the Garden
FAQ
What plant grows best in clay soil?
Crops with shallow and mostly fibrous roots can grow in clay soil. Some of these are lettuce, chard, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. Actually, these kinds of plants really grow better in clay soil and loam soil since they need stronger soil grip.
Is clay soil good for plants?
Clay soil retains most nutrients very well because of its negative charge and high surface area, so clays usually are very fertile.
Do hydrangeas grow well in clay soil?
Yes, you can grow hydrangeas even in clay soil! In fact, smooth hydrangeas, also known as Annabelle hydrangeas, are native to North America and grow naturally in very heavy clay soils without a problem.
How to improve clay soil?
Adding horticultural grit
On extremely heavy, solid clay adding grit to the ground in autumn can be very effective, especially if it is spread on the soil surface with copious amounts of organic matter such as garden compost or bulky manure.