Garden Plants That Need Lime

Gardening success often starts with understanding your soil’s pH levels. Lime, a natural soil amendment, is commonly used to make soil more alkaline. But what garden plants need lime, and which ones thrive in slightly acidic conditions? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what garden plants need lime, including flowering plants and vegetables that prefer alkaline soil. We’ll also discuss what vegetables don’t like lime and highlight those that benefit from it.

Flowering Plants That Need Lime

Some flowering plants also benefit from a more alkaline soil, as it can help them thrive. These plants often grow better when the pH is adjusted to a neutral or slightly alkaline level:

1. Lilacs
2. Hibiscus
3. Peonies
4. Plumeria
5. Roses (certain varieties, especially older types)
6. Daffodils
7. Tulips
8. Lavender
9. Sweet peas
10. Bee balm (Monarda)
11. Clematis (some species)
12. Phlox (if soil is too acidic)

What flowers don’t like lime

Some flowers prefer acidic soil and may not thrive in lime-enriched, more alkaline soil. Here are a few flowers that generally don’t like lime or do better in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH around 5.5 to 6.5):

Flowers That Don’t Like Lime:

1. Azaleas
2. Rhododendrons
3. Hydrangeas
4. Camellias
5. Gardenias
6. Bluebells
7. Lily of the Valley
8. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
9. Ferns (e.g., Ostrich Ferns, Lady Ferns)
10. Foxglove (Digitalis)
11. Primroses (Primula)

Why These Plants Don’t Like Lime:

Lime increases the pH of the soil, making it more alkaline. Plants that prefer acidic soils can suffer because the availability of certain nutrients, such as iron, manganese, and magnesium, decreases as the pH rises. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, poor growth, and other health problems.

General Rule:

If you have acid-loving flowers in your garden (like azaleas, rhododendrons, or camellias), it’s best to avoid adding lime or only use it sparingly after checking soil pH levels. If you’re unsure whether a plant likes lime, it’s always a good idea to check specific growing conditions for that plant.

Vegetables That Like Lime:

Certain vegetables thrive in slightly alkaline or neutral soil, and they benefit from the addition of lime, which raises the soil’s pH. Lime helps to balance soil acidity, making it more hospitable to these plants. Here are vegetables that like lime or do well in limed soil (with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5):

1. Tomatoes
2. Cabbage (and other Brassicas)
3. Peas
4. Onions
5. Carrots (they prefer slightly less acidic soil)
6. Lettuce
7. Spinach
8. Beans (like pole beans and bush beans)
9. Chard
10. Broccoli

What Vegetables Don’t Like Lime

Some vegetables thrive in slightly acidic soils, and adding lime (which raises soil pH and makes it more alkaline) can harm their growth by reducing nutrient availability. Here are the main vegetables that don’t like lime or prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5):

Vegetables That Don’t Like Lime:

1. Potatoes
2. Blueberries (very sensitive to pH changes)
3. Radishes
4. Cucumbers (may be sensitive to high pH)
5. Beets (while they tolerate some lime, they prefer slightly acidic soil)
6. Turnips
7. Rhubarb (requires slightly acidic conditions)
8. Squash
9. Corn
10. Kale

Why These Vegetables Don’t Like Lime:

Lime increases the soil’s pH, making it more alkaline. Many vegetables that prefer acidic soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5) will suffer in alkaline soils because the availability of essential nutrients like iron, manganese, and magnesium decreases. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, stunted growth, and poor yields.

General Rule:

If you’re growing acid-loving vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or radishes, it’s important not to add lime unless your soil is too acidic and needs correction. Always test your soil’s pH before adding lime, and be mindful of the specific preferences of the crops you are growing.

Note: Before adding lime, it’s a good idea to test your soil’s pH, as over-liming can cause problems with nutrient availability, especially for plants that prefer acidic conditions. Lime can take several months to fully alter the pH of the soil, so it’s best applied in advance of planting.