15 Plants For Shallow Soil And Full Sun That You Will Love

There are different types of soil, and they are unique in textures, nutrients, and structure. Each plant requires varying soil quality. Shallow soil has little room for water storage like sandy soil. Are you searching for plants that can grow in shallow soil for your garden? Continue reading this post for further knowledge.

Some plants that are drought-resistant and can grow in shallow soil under direct sunlight are:

  1. Lavender
  2. Lettuce
  3. Foxtail Lily
  4. Periwinkle
  5. Butterfly Weed
  6. Autumn Joy Sedum
  7. Petunia
  8. Brunnera Macrophylla
  9. Pachysandra
  10. Pansy
  11. Hosta
  12. Zinnia
  13. English Ivy
  14. Hydrangea
  15. Purple Coneflower

Planting could be tedious work and need extra care. Researching and asking experts can help you in raising your plants. Would you like to know more about plants that can grow in shallow soil and full sun? This post is perfect for you as we have searched the web for the answer you need.

garden tools, tiny healthy plant, healthy brown soil, fertilized garden soil, 15 Plants For Shallow Soil And Full Sun That You Will Love

Plants That Grow In Shallow Soil

Listed here are the plants that can grow in shallow soil.

1. Lavender

Lavenders grow in the Mediterranean region, which is rich in calcareous soil. This plant can grow in sandy or gravel soil with 6.0 to 8.0 alkaline pH. You can grow lavenders in fast-draining soil beds or pots.

This plant loves the sun, needs little water, and grows well in drought conditions. Lavender grows up to 3 feet tall, perfect for landscaping.

a beautiful mountain full of purple lavenders aligned perfectly, well arranged

2. Lettuce

Lettuce has fibrous roots so it can grow in shallow soil and container. This vegetable doesn't need deep topsoil to flourish. If you plan to use lettuce in a pot or container, choose potting soil to plant it. Ensure that the pot or container has ample drainage holes.

fresh and healthy lettuce on the garden of the backyard, green crunchy texture of the leaves

3. Foxtail Lilies

Foxtail Lilies can grow in well-drained sandy soil and under direct sunlight, which is perfect for landscaping your garden. Though Foxtail Lilies can survive shallow soil, they still need adequate water during the growing seasons and do leave the soil dry out too much. Also, feed your foxtail lilies with fertilizer or manure to grow healthy.

wild photo captured of a wild foxtail on the field on forest by the lake

4. Periwinkle

Periwinkle is a ground-covering plant, often seen creeping along banks and hills, which is why it is called creeping vinca or creeping myrtle. This plant requires mild calcareous pH to faint acidic. Periwinkle likes well-drained sandy and loamy soil. Its blue flowers bloom best under direct sunlight but can also grow in partial shade.

photo of a purple flowers, many flowers, group of purple flowers

5. Butterfly Weed Or Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed is perfect in every garden because of its beautiful, bright orange to yellow blooms and the glossy, lance-shaped green leaves. Its flowers bloom in summer and attract wildlife. This plant can grow in different soil conditions like sand and gravel and requires moderate to slightly acidic pH. Butterfly Weed needs direct sunlight exposure.

sunny day on a wide field full of orange flowers on the mountain

6. Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn Joy Sedum produces nectar that attracts bees and other insects. Its stem and leaves are also edible for humans. Autumn Joy Sedum is drought tolerant and can grow in well-drained soil under direct sunlight.

sun lit photo of a group of pink flowers, beautiful flowers on the backyard garden

7. Petunia

Petunia has shallow roots and loves moist soil. Its roots dry out fast so adequate watering is necessary to keep them alive. This plant requires well-drained soil, and excessive water can cause root rot. You can plant Petunia in soil beds or containers and place them under direct sunlight.

group of purple flowers, beautiful violet flowers, up close photo, at the garden of the backyard

8. Brunnera Macrophylla

The Brunnera Macrophylla is a rhizomatous perennial which is slow-spreading, and native to woodlands. Its heart-shaped leaves and spring flowers offer captivating scenery to gardens. There are several species of Macrophylla, and the flower colors differ from blue, white, and light blue. The Brunnera has blue flower color that blooms in spring. This plant can adapt to any soil conditions and requires direct sunlight.

small, tiny light blue flowers captured up close on a sunny day

9. Pachysandra

Pachysandra is perfect for landscaping because it covers the ground with its thick bush and lovely small flowers. Its flowers have an intense smell like flowery mothballs. This plant can survive in any soil conditions as long as well-drained. Pachysandra can grow up to 12 inches tall and is best to be planted in containers or flower beds.

up close photo of a small white flower of green leaf plant on the forest, sun lit

10. Pansy

Pansies have a variety of colors: yellow, white, red, blue, orange, pink, purple, red, bronze, and lavender. Some pansies have one color, while some have multi colors. These beautiful flowers are perfect for landscaping. Pansies can grow in any soil conditions, but they prefer a well-drained acidic soil with 6.0 to 6.2 pH.

multicolor flowers, orange flower, yellow flower, purple flower with white tip on the petals

11. Hosta

Hostas have a lot of varieties. Since they are perennial, therefore they can grow in any soil condition. They can be planted in sandy or clay soil, although they prefer moist, well-drained soil with organic matter.

garden on the back of the house, white and green colored leaves of a plant

12. Zinnia

If you want to splash your garden with bright, colorful flowers, Zinnias are what you are looking for. These flowers come in different colors: white, pink, and red. Zinnias require full sun and can grow in any soil condition, though they grow taller if the soil is better.

many colors of flowers, pink, orange, green, peach, sunny day, summer time

13. English Ivy

English Ivy has dark, green leaves and white veins that felt waxy and a little leathery. The English Ivy loves sun and shade. This plant can grow in well-drained, medium moist soil.

There are several varieties of English Ivy: Golden Child, Ivalance, Glacier, Anne Marie, Needlepoint, and many more. English Ivies have two beneficial characteristics: medicinal purposes and air purifiers. One of the best plants to keep in your garden.

hanging plant on the hanging pot beside the window, green leaf, white tip leaf, vines

14. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers in different colors: blue, pink, lilac, and violet which all bloom in spring and summer. These lovely flowers add aesthetics and colors to your garden. These flowers can survive in shallow soil in consistent moisture under full sun.

colorful group of flowers, close up photo of beautiful colorful flowers on the garden

15. Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower is a perennial that thrives under direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours. The flowerhead shape is like a cone, enclosed by light purple and white petals rays. Coneflower is drought tolerant and blooms the whole summer.

a nice beautiful red and pink petal flower captured on the wild forest

What Are The Types Of Soil?

We have listed the types of soil to fully understand soil structure and how they differ.

Sandy Soil

This soil needs several organic blends to make plants grow. Sandy soil requires mulching to hold moisture.

close up photo of a hand of a man with a soil on it on a sunny day at the farm on the mountain

Clay Soil

This soil has nutrients, though it holds the water too much because of tiny particles. It becomes sticky that the top soil or the base of the plant will flood. You need to take care of the drainage to avoid overwatering.

up close photo of a soil, earth soil, dry soil, sun lit, sunny day, ground, tiny ground particles

Silty Soil

This type of foil becomes mud once wet. You must add organic matter to make it fertile and improve the draining capacity.

dry soil, shallow soil, brown soil, ground, dirt, roots, human hand planting

Peaty Soil

This soil is acidic, which some plants love like Azalea, Bleeding Hearts, Camellia, and Heather. Add lime and organic matter for additional benefits to plants.

photo of a dark brown soil, garden soil for gardening and planting, earth soil, rock, dirt

Chalky Soil

It is mostly comprised of calcium carbonate. It is stony, shallow, and dries quickly. The alkaline level of this soil is from 7.1 to 10 pH.

vegetable garden field, dry soil, chalky textured soil of the garden

Loamy Soil

This soil is also acidic and needs a gradual mix with organic matter. This works best for garden and potted plants.

type of soil on the earth surface, small and big particles of earth soil, for garden soil

Best Fertilizers And Compost for Shallow Soil

We have listed suggested fertilizers and potting mix for shallow soil.

Liquid Aerator

This fertilizer has a deep soil conditioner that loosens and softens compacted soil. Liquid Aerator enhances nutrients and promotes healthier growth of the plants.

Click here to check Liquid  Aerator on Amazon.

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix

This potting mix has nutrients that the plants need to flourish. The soil has plant food and iron that prevent nutritional deficiencies. This Miracle-Gro Potting Mix is best used for gardens and containers.

Click here to check Potting Mix on Amazon.

Burpee Potting Mix

Burpee Potting Mix is an all-natural mix formulated for seed and root growth, healthy flowers, and vegetables. Perfect use for container plants and flower beds. This potting mix helps retain moisture, helping to hold water for potted indoor and outdoor plants.

Click here to check Burpee on Amazon.

Summary

garden tools, tiny healthy plant, healthy brown soil, fertilized garden soil

Some plants can live in poor-quality soil, but they still need nutrients to grow healthy. Low-quality, shallow, or compacted soil could be an issue, but there is a workaround to make that soil inhabitable for plants to survive. Potting mix, fertilizer, peat moss, and other supplements can improve the soil quality you have in your garden.

If you want to know more about soil, plants, and other gardening tips, you may read these posts:

7 Best Fertilizer For Clay Soil

How Much Peat Moss  To Add To Potting Soil?

Top Soil vs Lawn Soil: What's The Difference?

 

 

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