Blueberries need acid soil, and lilyturf, wisteria, creeping dogwood, Japanese holly and male fern are named by the RHS and PFAF as tolerating it. Free tracked delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which plants suit acid soil?
For acid soil, choose blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), which need it, or plants such as lilyturf, wisteria, creeping dogwood, Japanese holly and male fern, which the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF list as tolerating acid to neutral soil.
| Plant | RHS hardiness | Soil and pH | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Sandy or loam; acid to neutral | Dry to moist; listed for sheltered positions |
| Wisteria (W. floribunda, W. sinensis) | H5 to H6 (about -10 to -15 °C) | Clay, sandy or loam; acid to neutral | Moist soil; listed for sheltered positions |
| Creeping dogwood (Cornus canadensis) | H7 (to about -20 °C) | Clay, loam or sandy; acid to neutral | Moist soil |
| Bamboo (Fargesia rufa) | H5 (to about -10 °C) | Clay or loam; acid to neutral | Moist soil; listed for sheltered positions |
| Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | Loam or sandy; acid to neutral | Moist soil; listed for exposed or sheltered sites |
| Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) | H7 (to about -20 °C) | Sandy, loam or clay; acid to neutral | Moist soil |
| Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | Loam or sandy; acid | Moist soil; needs acid soil, see below |
| Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) | H6 (to about -15 °C) | Sandy or loam; acid to neutral | Moist soil; listed for sheltered positions |
Ratings come from the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF. Minimum temperatures are the warm end of each RHS band.
How do I know if my soil is acid?
The RHS explains that soil pH is measured on a scale where 7 is neutral and anything lower is acid. A pH of 5.1 to 6.0 counts as acid, and 3.0 to 5.0 as very acid. A home test kit gives a good indication; a laboratory test is more detailed. A test within three months of adding lime or fertiliser may mislead.
Growing blueberries
The RHS says blueberries need acid soil, ideally between pH 4.5 and 5.5. Choose a sheltered spot in sun or light shade with moist soil that does not waterlog in winter. Plant so the soil only just covers the roots, space plants 1 to 2 m apart depending on the variety, and finish with a thick mulch of ericaceous material such as pine bark. If your soil is not acid, the RHS suggests growing blueberries in large containers of peat-free ericaceous compost instead.
If your soil is not acid
Acidifying a garden is hard work. The RHS says clay soils often need very large amounts of acidifying material, and soils with free chalk or lime are not usually treatable. If your ground is alkaline, plants chosen for it will give better results than a fight with the soil: see our plants for chalky soil.
Planting
- Timing: in Ireland, plant in autumn (October to November) or spring (February to April). The RHS says blueberries settle best planted while dormant, between mid-autumn and early spring, and not into frozen ground or in hot, dry weather.
- Young plants: ours are in 7 to 9 cm pots, so allow a few seasons to build up size, and keep them watered until established.
What this list does and does not mean
"Tolerates" is not the same as "thrives". For most plants here, the sources say they tolerate acid to neutral soil; they do not say acid soil is the best they can have. Blueberries are the exception, where acid soil is a requirement. Data is from the RHS Plant Finder and PFAF, checked October 2026, so test your soil.
Frequently asked questions
Do blueberries really need acid soil?
Yes. The RHS says blueberries need acid soil, ideally pH 4.5 to 5.5. In neutral or alkaline soil, grow them in large containers of peat-free ericaceous compost.
Can I grow wisteria in acid soil?
Yes. The RHS and PFAF list wisteria as tolerating acid to neutral soil, including clay, sandy and loam, with moisture and a sheltered position.
Are these all lime-hating plants?
No. Only blueberries are listed as needing acid soil. The others tolerate acid to neutral soil, so they are an option if your soil is acid or only slightly acid.
Which of these plants are the hardiest?
Creeping dogwood and male fern are rated H7 by the RHS, hardy to about -20 °C at the warm end of the band. Wisteria, Japanese holly, blueberry and raspberry are H5 to H6.
What should I read next?
If your soil is heavy or light, see our plants for clay soil and plants for sandy soil, or check the chalky soil collection if a pH test shows alkaline ground.