When any seed doesn't germinate with in reasonable time
we blame the seed supplier, seed quality, climate etc. However we normally
ignore whether the soil contains the required nutrients for the specific
seed/plant. To know the soil condition we have to measure soil pH level.
The soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkaline in soil.
Plant
roots absorb mineral nutrients such as Nitrogen and Iron when they are desolved
in water. If the soil solution is too acid or alkaline some nutrients won't
dissolve easily so they won't be available for uptake by roots. Soil pH is
measured in a scale of 0 to 14. Where 0 being the most acidic and 14 is the
most alkaline and 7 stands for neutral. To give you an example lemon juice can
be of the range of 1 to 2 signifies very acidic where as soapy water can be of a
pH of 11 to 12 which means it is very alkaline.
This
pH is calculated on the logarithm scale so a difference between one point is
equal to 10 times acidity. i.e, the pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than pH 7
and 10 times less acidic than pH 5.
Soil
condition varies place to place. Your garden soil pH could be different
from that of your friend's garden across town. Therefore you should know
soil pH of your garden before choosing plants. Most garden plants grow
well in slightly acid to neutral soil (pH 6-7). You can alter your soil condition
after determining soil pH level from the soil testing labs. You can also test
soil pH yourself with a home soil test kit or portable pH meter. How
to alter the pH level, please take expert opinion.
I
hope this gives you basic idea about soil pH and its effect.
I provide below list of preferred pH range of various plants for your immediate reference. Source : gardenexpress.com.au.
| Plant Name | Preferred pH Range* |
| Abelia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Abutilon | 5.5-6.5 |
| Acacia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Acanthus | 6.0-7.0 |
| Aconitum | 5.0-6.0 |
| Acorus | 5.0-6.5 |
| Adonis | 6.0-8.0 |
| Aechmea | 5.0-5.5 |
| African Violet | 6.0-7.0 |
| Ageratum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Ailanthus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Ajuga | 4.0-6.0 |
| Althea | 6.0-7.5 |
| Alyssum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Amaranthus | 6.0-6.5 |
| Amaryllis | 5.5-6.5 |
| Anchusa | 6.0-7.5 |
| Androsace | 5.0-6.0 |
| Anemone | 6.0-7.5 |
| Anthurium | 5.0-6.0 |
| Anthyllis | 5.0-6.0 |
| Apostle Plant | 5.5-6.5 |
| Apple | 5.0-6.5 |
| Apricot | 6.0-7.0 |
| Aralia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Arbutus | 4.0-6.0 |
| Ardisia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Arenaria | 6.0-8.0 |
| Aristia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Armeris | 6.0-7.5 |
| Arnice | 5.0-6.5 |
| Arrowhead | 5.0-6.0 |
| Artichoke | 6.5-7.5 |
| Asparagus | 6.0-8.0 |
| Asparagus Fern | 6.0-8.0 |
| Asperula | 6.0-8.0 |
| Asphodoline | 6.0-8.0 |
| Aster | 5.5-7.5 |
| Astilbe | 6.0-8.0 |
| Aubretia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Avens | 6.0-7.5 |
| Avocado | 6.0-7.5 |
| Azalea | 4.5-6.0 |
| Azalea | 4.5-6.0 |
| Baby's Breath | 6.0-7.5 |
| Baby's Tears | 5.0-6.0 |
| Banana | 5.0-7.0 |
| Basil | 5.5-6.5 |
| Bean (Runner, Broad, French) | 6.0-7.5 |
| Beauty Bush | 6.0-7.5 |
| Beetroot | 6.0-7.5 |
| Begonia | 5.5-7.0 |
| Bergenia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Bird of Paradise | 6.0-6.5 |
| Bishop's Cap | 5.0-6.0 |
| Blackberry | 5.0-6.0 |
| Black-eyed Susan | 5.5-7.5 |
| Bleeding Heart | 6.0-7.5 |
| Blood Leaf | 5.5-6.5 |
| Bluebell | 6.0-7.5 |
| Bottle Brush | 6.0-7.5 |
| Bougainvillea | 5.5-7.5 |
| Boxwood | 6.0-7.5 |
| Broccoli | 6.0-7.0 |
| Bromeliads | 5.0-6.0 |
| Broom | 5.0-6.0 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 6.0-7.5 |
| Buddleia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Buphthaium | 6.0-8.0 |
| Butterfly Flower | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cabbage | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cactus | 4.5-6.0 |
| Calabrese | 6.5-7.5 |
| Caladium | 6.0-7.5 |
| Calceolaria | 6.0-7.0 |
| Calendula | 5.5-7.0 |
| Calla lily | 6.0-7.0 |
| Camassia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Camellia | 4.5-5.5 |
| Candytuft | 6.0-7.5 |
| Canna | 6.0-8.0 |
| Canterbury Bells | 6.0-7.5 |
| Capsicum Pepper | 5.0-6.5 |
| Cardinal Flower | 5.0-6.0 |
| Carnation | 6.0-7.5 |
| Carrot | 5.5-7.0 |
| Cast Iron Plant | 4.0-5.5 |
| Castor Oil Plant | 5.5-6.5 |
| Catalpa | 6.0-8.0 |
| Cauliflower | 5.5-7.5 |
| Celery | 6.0-7.0 |
| Celosia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Centaurea | 5.0-6.5 |
| Century Plant | 5.0-6.5 |
| Cerastium | 6.0-7.0 |
| Cherry | 6.0-7.5 |
| Chicory | 5.0-6.5 |
| Chinese Cabbage | 6.0-7.5 |
| Chinese Evergreen | 5.0-6.0 |
| Chinese Lantern | 6.0-7.5 |
| Chinese Primrose | 6.0-7.5 |
| Chives | 6.0-7.0 |
| Christmas Cactus | 5.0-6.5 |
| Chrysanthemum | 6.0-7.0 |
| Cineraria | 5.5-7.0 |
| Cissus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cistus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Clarkia | 6.0-6.5 |
| Cleanthus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Clematis | 5.5-7.0 |
| Clerodendrum | 5.0-6.0 |
| Clivia | 5.5-6.5 |
| Cockscomb | 6.0-7.5 |
| Coffee Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Colchicum | 5.5-6.5 |
| Coleus | 6.0-7.0 |
| Columbine | 6.0-7.0 |
| Columnea | 4.5-5.5 |
| Convolvulus | 6.0-8.0 |
| Coral Berry | 5.5-7.5 |
| Coreopsis | 5.0-6.0 |
| Corn - Sweet | 5.5-7.5 |
| Coronilla | 6.5-7.5 |
| Corydalis | 6.0-8.0 |
| Cosmos | 5.0-8.0 |
| Cotoneaster | 6.0-8.0 |
| Courgettes | 5.5-7.0 |
| Crab Apple | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cranberry | 5.5-6.5 |
| Crassula | 5.0-6.0 |
| Creeping Fig | 5.0-6.0 |
| Cress | 6.0-7.0 |
| Crocus | 6.0-8.0 |
| Croton | 5.0-6.0 |
| Crown of Thorns | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cucumber | 5.5-7.0 |
| Cuphea | 6.0-7.5 |
| Currant - Black | 6.0-8.0 |
| Currant - Red | 5.5-7.0 |
| Currant - White | 6.0-8.0 |
| Cyclamen. | 6.0-7.0 |
| Cynoglossum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Cyperus | 5.0-7.5 |
| Daffodii | 6.0-6.5 |
| Dahlia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Damson | 6.0-7.5 |
| Daphne | 6.5-7.5 |
| Day Lily | 6.0-8.0 |
| Delphinium | 6.0-7.5 |
| Deutzia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Devil's Ivy | 5.0-6.0 |
| Dianthus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Dielfenbachia | 5.0-6.0 |
| Dipladenla | 6.0-7.5 |
| Dizygotheca | 6.0-7.5 |
| Dogwood | 5.0-7.0 |
| Dracaena | 5.0-6.0 |
| Dragon Tree | 5.0-7.5 |
| Dutchman's Pipe | 6.0-8.0 |
| Easter lily | 6.0-7.0 |
| Edelweiss | 6.5-7.5 |
| Elaeagnus | 5.0-7.5 |
| Elephant's Ear | 6.0-7.5 |
| English Ivy | 6.0-7.5 |
| Enkianthus | 5.0-6.0 |
| Episcia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Erica | 4.5-6.0 |
| Eucalyptus | 6.0-8.0 |
| Euphorbia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Everlasting | 5.0-6.0 |
| Fan Iris | 6.0-8.0 |
| Feijoa | 5.0-7.5 |
| Fennel | 5.0-6.0 |
| Fern - Bird's Nest | 5.0-5.5 |
| Fern - Boston | 5.5-6.5 |
| Fern - Button | 6.0-8.0 |
| Fern - Christmas | 6.0-7.5 |
| Fern - Cloak | 6.0-7.5 |
| Fern - Feather | 5.5-7.5 |
| Fern - Hart's Tonge | 7.0-8.0 |
| Fern - Holly | 4.5-6.0 |
| Fern - Maidenhair | 6.0-8.0 |
| Fern - Rabbits Foot | 6.0-7.5 |
| Fern - Spleenwort | 6.0-7.5 |
| Fig (Ficus) | 5.0-6.0 |
| Firethorn | 6.0-8.0 |
| Fittonia | 5.5-6.5 |
| Forget-me-not | 6.0-8.0 |
| Forsythia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Foxglove | 6.0-7.5 |
| Freesia | 6.0-7.5 |
| French Marigold | 5.0-7.5 |
| Fritillaria | 6.0-7.5 |
| Fuchsia | 5.5-6.5 |
| Gaillardia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Gardenia | 5.0-6.0 |
| Garlic | 5.5-7.5 |
| Gazania | 5.5-7.0 |
| Genista | 6.5-7.5 |
| Gentiana | 5.0-7.5 |
| Geranium | 6.0-8.0 |
| Geum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Ginger | 6.0-8.0 |
| Gladioli | 6.0-7.0 |
| Globularia | 5.5-7.0 |
| Gloxinia | 5.5-6.5 |
| Godetia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Goldenrod | 5.0-7.0 |
| Gooseberry | 5.0-6.5 |
| Gourd | 6.0-7.0 |
| Grape Hyacinth | 6.0-7.5 |
| Grape Ivy | 5.0-6.5 |
| Grapefruit | 6.0-7.5 |
| Grapevine | 6.0-7.0 |
| Grass - Bent | 5.5-6.5 |
| Grass - Clover | 6.0-7.0 |
| Grass - Fesau | 6.0-7.5 |
| Grass - Meadow | 6.0-7.5 |
| Grass - Pampas | 6.0-8.0 |
| Grass - Rye | 6.0-7.0 |
| Grevillea | 5.5-6.5 |
| Gypsophllla | 6.0-7.5 |
| Hawthorn | 6.0-7.0 |
| Hazelnut | 6.0-7.0 |
| Hedera (Ivy) | 6.0-7.5 |
| Heliotropium | 6.0-8.0 |
| Hellanthus | 5.0-7.0 |
| Helleborus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Hens & Chickens | 6.0-7.0 |
| Herringbone Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Hibiscus | 6.0-8.0 |
| Holly | 5.0-6.5 |
| Hollyhock | 6.0-8.0 |
| Honeysuckle | 6.0-7.5 |
| Hop | 6.0-7.5 |
| Horseradish | 60-7.0 |
| Hoya | 5.0-6.5 |
| Hyacinth | 6.5-7.5 |
| Hydrangea (Blue) | 4.0-5.0 |
| Hydrangea (Pink) | 6.0-7.0 |
| Hydrangea (White) | 6.5-8.0 |
| Hyperitum | 5.5-7.0 |
| Ice Plant | 6.0-8.0 |
| Ii Never Never Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Impatiens (Busy Lillie) | 5.5-6.5 |
| Inch Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Indigofera | 6.0-7.5 |
| Iresine | 5.0-6.5 |
| Iris | 5.0-6.5 |
| Ivy | 6.0-8.0 |
| Ivy Tree | 6.0-7.0 |
| Jacaranda | 6.0-7.5 |
| Japanese Sedge | 6.0-8.0 |
| Jasminum | 5.5-7.0 |
| Jerusalem Cherry | 5.5-6.5 |
| Jessamine | 5.0-6.0 |
| Juniper | 5.0-6.5 |
| Kaffir | 6.0-7.5 |
| Kalanchoe | 6.0-7.5 |
| Kale | 6.0-7.5 |
| Kalmia | 4.5-5.0 |
| Kangaroo Thorn | 6.0-8.0 |
| Kangaroo Vine | 5.0-6.5 |
| Kerria | 6.0-7.0 |
| Kohlrabi | 6.0-7.5 |
| Laburnum | 6.0-7.0 |
| Lace Flower | 6.0-7.5 |
| Lantana | 5.5-7.0 |
| Laurel | 4.5-6.0 |
| Laurus (Bay Tree) | 5.0-6.0 |
| Lavender | 6.5-7.5 |
| Leek | 6.0-8.0 |
| Lemon | 6.0-7.0 |
| Lemon Plant | 6.0-7.5 |
| Lentil | 5.5-7.0 |
| Lettuce | 6.0-7.0 |
| Liatris | 5.5-7.5 |
| Ligustrum | 5.0-7.5 |
| Lilac | 6.0-7.5 |
| Lily of the Valley | 4.5-6.0 |
| Lithospermum | 5.0-6.5 |
| Lobelia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Lupinus | 5.5-7.0 |
| Lychee | 6.0-7.0 |
| Magnolia | 5.0-6.0 |
| Mahonia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Mango | 5.0-6.0 |
| Marguerite | 6.0-7.5 |
| Marigold | 5.5-7.0 |
| Marjoram | 6.0-8.0 |
| Marrow | 6.0-7.5 |
| Melon | 5.5-6.5 |
| Millet | 6.0-6.5 |
| Mimosa | 5.0-7.0 |
| Mind Your Own Business | 5.0-5.5 |
| Mint | 7.0-8.0 |
| Mollnia | 4.0-5.0 |
| Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant) | 5.0-6.0 |
| Moraea | 5.5-6.5 |
| Morning Glory | 6.0-7.5 |
| Moss | 6.0-8.0 |
| Moss, sphagnum | 3.5-5.0 |
| Mother-of-Thousands | 5.0-6.0 |
| Mulberry | 6.0-7.5 |
| Mushroom | 6.5-7.5 |
| Mustard | 6.0-7.5 |
| Myosotis | 6.0-7.0 |
| Myrtle | 6.0-8.0 |
| Narcissus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Nasturtium | 5.5-7.5 |
| Nectarine | 6.0-7.5 |
| Nephthytis | 4.5-5.5 |
| Nicodernia (Indoor Oak) | 6.0-8.0 |
| Nicotiana | 5.5-6.5 |
| Nicotlana | 5.5-6.5 |
| Norfolk Island Pine | 5.0-6.0 |
| Oleander | 6.0-7.5 |
| Olive | 5.5-6.5 |
| Onion | 6.0-7.0 |
| OpIisemenus | 5.0-6.0 |
| Orange Plant | 6.0-7.5 |
| Orchid | 4.5-5.5 |
| Oxalis | 6.0-8.0 |
| Pachysandra | 5.0-8.0 |
| Paeonia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Painted Lady | 6.0-7.5 |
| Palms | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pandanus | 5.0-6.0 |
| Pansy | 5.5-7.0 |
| Papaw | 6.0-7.5 |
| Paprika | 7.0-8.5 |
| Parsley | 5.0-7.0 |
| Pasque Flower | 5.0-6.0 |
| Passion Flower | 6.0-8.0 |
| Patient Lucy | 5.5-6.5 |
| Paulownia | 6.0-8.0 |
| Pea | 6.0-7.5 |
| Peach | 6.0-7.5 |
| Peacock Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Peanut | 5.0-6.5 |
| Pear | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pea-Sweet | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pelagoniums | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pellionia | 5.0-6.0 |
| Penstemon | 5.5-7.0 |
| Peony | 6.0-7.5 |
| Peperomia | 5.0-6.0 |
| Pepper | 5.5-7.0 |
| Peppermint | 6.0-7.5 |
| Periwinkle | 6.0-7.5 |
| Petunia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Philodendron | 5.0-6.0 |
| Phlox | 5.0-6.5 |
| Pilea | 6.0-8.0 |
| Pineapple | 5.0-6.0 |
| Pinks | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pistacio | 5.0-6.0 |
| Pitcherplant | 4.0-5.5 |
| Pittosporum | 5.5-6.5 |
| Plantain | 6.0-7.5 |
| Plum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Plumbago | 5.5-6.5 |
| Podocarpus | 5.0-6.5 |
| Poinsettia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Poligonum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Polyanthus | 6.0-7.5 |
| Polyscias | 6.0-7.5 |
| Pomegranate | 5.5-6.5 |
| Poppy | 6.0-7.5 |
| Portulaca | 5.5-7.5 |
| Potato | 4.5-6.0 |
| Potato-Sweet | 5.5-6.0 |
| Pothos | 5.0-6.0 |
| Prayer Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Primrose | 5.5-6.5 |
| Primula | 6.0-7.5 |
| Privet | 6.0-7.0 |
| Prunella | 6.0-7.5 |
| Prunus | 6.5-7.5 |
| Pumpkin | 5.5-7.5 |
| Puncia | 5.5-6.5 |
| Pyracantha | 5.0-6.0 |
| Pyrethrum | 6.0-7.5 |
| Quince | 6.0-7.5 |
| Radish | 6.0-7.0 |
| Raspberry | 5.0-6.5 |
| Rhododendron | 4.5-6.0 |
| Rhubarb | 5.5-7.0 |
| Rice | 5.0-6.5 |
| Rose - Climbing | 6.0-7.0 |
| Rose - Hybrid Tea | 5.5-7.0 |
| Rose - RamblIng | 5.5-7.0 |
| Rosemary | 5.0-6.0 |
| Rubber Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Sage | 5.5-6.5 |
| Salvia | 6.0-7.5 |
| Sansevieria | 4.5-7.0 |
| Santpaulia | 6.0-7.0 |
| Saxifraga | 6.0-8.0 |
| Scabiosa | 5.0-7.5 |
| SchizanthUs | 6.0-7.0 |
| Scilla | 6.0-8.0 |
| Sea Grape | 5.0-6.5 |
| Sedum | 6.0-8.0 |
| Selaginella | 6.0-7.0 |
| Senecio | 6.0-7.0 |
| Shallot | 5.5-7.0 |
| Shrimp Plant | 5.5-6.5 |
| Snapdragon | 5.5-7.0 |
| Snowdrop | 6.0-8.0 |
| Soapwort | 6.0-7.5 |
| Sorghum | 5.5-75 |
| Soyabean | 5.5-6.5 |
| Spanish Bayonet | 5.5-7.0 |
| Spearmint | 55-7.5 |
| Speedwell | 5.5-6.5 |
| Spider Plant | 6.0-7.5 |
| Spinach | 6.0-7.5 |
| Spirea | 6.0-7.5 |
| Spruce | 4.0-5.0 |
| Star of Bethlehem | 6.0-8.0 |
| Stock | 6.0-7.5 |
| Stonecrop | 6.5-7.5 |
| Strawberry | 5.0-7.5 |
| Succulents | 5.0-6.5 |
| Sumach | 5.0-6.5 |
| Sunflower | 6.0-7.5 |
| Swede | 5.5-7.0 |
| Sweet William | 6.0-7.5 |
| Syringa | 6.0-8.0 |
| Tamarix | 6.5-8.0 |
| Thunbergia | 5.5-7.5 |
| Thyme | 5.5-7.0 |
| Tobacco | 5.5-7.5 |
| Tomato | 5.5-7.5 |
| TrillIum | 5.0-6.5 |
| Tulip | 6.0-7.0 |
| Turk's Cap | 6.0-7.0 |
| Turnip | 5.5-7.0 |
| Umbrella Tree | 5.0-7.5 |
| Velvet Plant | 5.5-6.5 |
| Venus Flytrap | 4.0-5.0 |
| Verbena | 6.0-8.0 |
| Viburnum | 5.0-7.5 |
| Vinca | 6.0-7.5 |
| Viola | 5.5-6.5 |
| Violet | 5.0-7.5 |
| Violet Flame | 6.0-7.0 |
| Virginia Creeper | 5.0-7.5 |
| Wallflower | 5.5-7.5 |
| Wandering Jew | 5.0-6.0 |
| Water Cress | 6.0-8.0 |
| Water Lily | 5.5-6.5 |
| Watermelon | 5.5-6.5 |
| Weeping Fig | 5.0-6.0 |
| Weyela | 6.0-7.0 |
| Winter Creeper | 5.5-7.0 |
| Wistine | 6.0-8.0 |
| Yucca | 6.0-8.0 |
| Zebra Plant | 5.0-6.0 |
| Zinna | 5.5-7.5 |
* The table above is not an exhaustive list of plants. Although the suggested preferred range is believed to be reasonable accurate, it should only be used as a general guide and a professional should be consulted if necessary for advice on the requirements of specific plants in a specific soil type.
Do post your comments.
Your picture has an error. The pH scale starts at 1, not at 0. you can only have a pH between 1-14, it can't go below 1.
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