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The Global Insight

What plants like well drained soil

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on March 31, 2026

Soil drainage is a very important factor to consider when planting Salvia, Agastache, Lavender, Penstemon and other perennials that like “well-drained” soil. The essential element in well-drained soil is oxygen, which is just as important as water in growing healthy plants.

Is well-drained soil good for plants?

A well-drained soil retains water long enough for roots to absorb what the plant needs, and dries out sufficiently between rains or waterings so that roots can take up oxygen and don’t rot from too much moisture. Puddles that form after heavy rain are absorbed quickly by well-drained soil.

What grows in boggy soil?

  • Gunnera manicata.
  • Ligularia.
  • Iris pseudacorus ‘Variegata’
  • Zantedeschia aethiopica.
  • Rodgersia pinnata.
  • Lythrum salicaria.
  • Astilbe chinensis.
  • Cornus alba.

What grows well in waterlogged soil?

  • Water hyssop.
  • Pickerelweed.
  • Cattail.
  • Iris.
  • Canna.
  • Elephant’s ear.
  • Swamp sunflower.
  • Scarlet swamp hibiscus.

What shrubs do well in soggy soil?

  • Red chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia 4-9.
  • Black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa 3-8.
  • Sweetshrub, Calycanthus floridus 4-9.
  • Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis 6-9.
  • Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 4-9.
  • Siberian dogwood, Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ 3-7.
  • Silky dogwood, Cornus amomum 4-8.
  • Gray dogwood, Cornus racemosa 3-8.

Is potting mix well-draining?

The good news is, all potting mixes are well-draining, so all you need to do is choose a potting mix that’s appropriate for the type of plant you’re potting up. Bagged potting mixes are pre-packed with the nutrients your plants need, so there’s no need to add soil, compost or anything else.

How do you improve soil drainage after planting?

Adding lots of organic matter such as compost, farm manure, or shredded leaves to clayey soil will allow it to drain more easily and hold the right amounts of water and air for better plant growth and increased biological activity.

What grows in poor drainage areas?

  • Grass-Like. Grass-like plants are useful to line wet areas or plant along shady stream banks. …
  • Ground Covers. Ground cover plants grow wide to fill in the area but stay short for easy maintenance. …
  • Ferns. …
  • Perennials.

Does hydrangea like wet soil?

Very few plants will tolerate that sort of condition and hydrangeas are no exception. They like moist soil but they also want good drainage. Soil that remains wet – not just moist – for too long will lead to root rots and fungal diseases.

Can hydrangeas grow in wet soil?

Flowering Shrubs Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) can be found growing near bodies of water, which mean they can tolerate overly wet soils. … It grows between 3 and 6 feet tall and can tolerate overly wet soils and areas near water.

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Are hostas bog plants?

Notes: Hostas are popular bog garden plants that are grown mainly for their foliage.

Do hostas like wet soil?

Among other foliage plants for the bog garden, one would think hostas appropriate, since they like consistently moist soil, but they thrive only where drainage is good. The solution is to plant them upslope a bit from the real boggy areas.

Do roses like wet soil?

Roses prefer a rich loamy soil that drains well. They do not like to have their root systems in soggy wet soil, but cannot be allowed to dry out either. A nice, pliable, moist feel to the soil is what is desired.

Do azaleas like wet soil?

Drainage: Rhododendrons and azaleas thrive in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter. … These roots do not tolerate water-saturated soil conditions but do require moist soils. Poor drainage and wet soils are problems often associated with heavy clay and compacted soil.

Does forsythia like wet soil?

Next, forsythias need to be grown in well draining soil. Overly wet, marshy or swampy soil will not grow well. Also, the soil should be rich in organic matter.

What evergreens do well in wet soil?

  • Agarista populifolia – Florida Leucothoe.
  • Cyrilla racemiflora – Leatherwood.
  • Fatsia japonica – Japanese Fatsia.
  • *Ilex glabra – Inkberry.
  • Ilex verticillata – Winterberry.
  • Ilex vomitoria – Yaupon Holly.
  • Illicium floridanum – Florida Anise.
  • Leucothoe axillaris – Coastal Leucothoe.

How do you fix poorly drained soil?

  1. Mix in Compost. If your poor drainage area is a relatively small one and not too severe, you can lighten the soil by working in lots of organic matter. …
  2. Grow Water-Loving Plants. …
  3. Build a Rain Garden. …
  4. Create a Bog Garden or Pond. …
  5. Install Drain Tile.

Do rocks help soil drainage?

Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don’t drain efficiently. It all has to do with something called a perched water table. … All the roots get water and the excess drains away.

Does mulch help with drainage?

Mulch keeps soils warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Many types of mulch can improve soil aeration, structure (aggregation of soil particles), and drainage over time.

What is the best well-draining soil?

Peat Moss. The last ingredient to make well-draining potting soil at home is sphagnum or peat moss. I would especially recommend peat moss if your soil is very sandy or if it’s old and compacted. The moss retains moisture quite well and also shifts chunks of sand for exceptional aeration and draining.

Is Miracle Gro potting soil well drained?

“We can’t stress enough the importance of using a well-draining potting mix such as the Miracle Gro cactus mix. Cactus mix drains extremely well and will ensure that you cannot overwater your plant no matter how heavy-handed you are with watering.”

Is cactus soil well-draining?

In the desert, cacti experience long periods of drought accompanied by short bursts of moisture. To mimic this environment, cacti need a potting medium that drains well and dries quickly. Cactus soil drains quickly but retains enough moisture to allow the roots to absorb what they need first.

Do Peonies do well in wet soil?

They like full sun and moist, well drained soil. They don’t like shade or competition from tree roots, weeds or other plants.

Can Daylilies tolerate wet soil?

Daylilies will tolerate drought, but they also tolerate wet feet. They are perfect for planting beside a pond or stream and are great for rain gardens.

Do boxwoods tolerate wet soil?

Boxwoods thrive in sandier soils of average fertility and moisture, with a pH slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Although they are often found surviving in somewhat clay soils, poorly drained or wet soil conditions are lethal. In less “exposed” sites, boxwood tolerate full sun.

Does lavender like wet soil?

Remember, Lavender thrives on fast-draining soil and does not prefer to have “wet feet,” or standing water, which can cause roots to rot.

Do ferns like boggy ground?

Most ferns require well-drained moist conditions but some will tolerate standing in water in a bog-garden or at the edge of a pond. … A few ferns will tolerate standing in boggy, water-logged ground so long as the crown of the plant is well above water level.

What can I do with a boggy garden?

  1. Aeration. Aerating the lawn will help to improve drainage and will add air into the soil which will improve the conditions for the grass roots to live in. …
  2. Moss Killer & Fertiliser. …
  3. Dig A French Drain. …
  4. Choose Permeable Paths & Patios. …
  5. Dig A Ditch. …
  6. Plant A Bog Garden. …
  7. Over-Seeding. …
  8. Collect Rainwater.

Will a Hosta grow in water?

Growing Hosta in Water is easy and fun! Plant it in transparent glasses and jars and have a stunning display of this ornamental plant! … They are extremely easy to propagate by division, but surprisingly that is not the only way to multiply them–You just need a leaf-cutting to create a whole new plant!

Do Hydrangeas like wet feet?

While they are known as being notorious for water, they do not like wet feet ever! The basic rule to tell if a hydrangea needs to be watered is by looking at the leaves. If the leaves are drooping, the plant more than likely needs to be watered.

What kind of soil do Black Eyed Susans like?

Soil Type. Preferring a soil pH range of 6.8 to 7.7, black-eyed Susans enjoy slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions within the soil structure; most plants grow well within 6.0 to 7.0 pH levels since elemental soil nutrients are readily available.