Best Perennials to Improve Drainage in Clay Soil

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Proven Perennials to Enhance Drainage in Clay Soil

In this article, you’ll discover the preferences of more than 70 suitable plant choices for poor drainage in clay soil. To improve water-logged clay, I’ve included numerous trees, shrubs, evergreens, and fast-growing perennials that can tolerate wet conditions.

Poor draining clay soil can improve from a diversity of suitable perennials, even evergreens. It’s all about selecting appropriate root systems in conjunction with a proper land shape.

It’s also vital for you to know that many of these plants can tolerate and grow in heavy clay soil, even with poor drainage, but they won’t fully correct drainage issues on a desirable timeline. Trees are required as part of a swale system to improve and fix the compacted clay in less time.

Two necessary clay-busting traits of trees that general plants don’t have are:

robust enough root systems that can penetrate and break through heavy clay, to begin with, and
a desire to dive deeper

So, you have two choices:

to settle for limited options of plants that will tolerate unfixed conditions, or
select trees and follow these steps to fix poor draining clay soil for long-term abundance.

I recommend option 2, to the extent that you can, and to pick a mix of pioneer trees, shrubs, and herbaceous pioneer perennials. After a few seasons, you’ll be able to introduce more desired plants as your conditions improve.

If you’d rather not wait to plant all the fun stuff—I also threw in a large list of suitable (and useful) herbaceous perennials that you can plant too. The more diversity you introduce, the better your environment becomes.

Note: Most people ask about “shrubs that grow in poor soil” when they actually mean to ask for “shrubs that grow in poorly draining soil.” Poor soil and poorly draining soil can have two different meanings. Poor soil can refer to either drainage issues or nutritional issues. Poor draining soil is not necessarily poor in nutrition. Poor draining soil, clay, is often very nutrient rich—opposite of poor. If you search for shrubs that grow in poor soil; expect results for poorly draining soil. If you are wanting results to tell you about shrubs that grow in nutritionally poor soil—it must be clarified that way. Nutritionally poor soil is more likely to be sand-based than clay-based.

Do evergreens do well in clay soil?

Several evergreens, especially trees, are known to withstand harsh conditions and I also wondered if heavy, even waterlogged clay, was one of them. First, with simple reasoning, nature is stronger than generalizations which means not all evergreens would do well in clay just because they are “evergreen.”

Some evergreens grow well in clay soil, but most prefer well-drained, moist, and organically-balanced conditions. Many evergreens don’t do well in clay soil as it depends on a plant-by-plant basis. Your best options include; larch, cypress, and arborvitae.

Like deciduous plants, they also prefer various soil types since diversity is a strength, and being evergreen isn’t a pass for resilience in clay.

Evergreen plants that happen to be robust, however, do benefit and improve clay conditions.

What evergreen grows best in clay?

Out of the evergreen options, the best one is less a matter of visual preference and more of improving the soil. The best tree to break up heavy clay is the most adaptable to its conditions. The most adaptable tree will grow the best, therefore; enhancing conditions the most.

Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) is the most adaptable conifer that grows the best, even in water-logged clay. Partner it with a swale, and clay conditions are bound to improve over time from this tree. The vigorous root system helps break up the clay allowing for overall drainage.

Be sure to keep such trees a good distance away from any foundations. Check with the seller of the tree you’re getting on distance recommendations.

Okay, “bald” cypress may appear to be an evergreen tree but they are actually deciduous (hence the name). While they do lose their needles for a small part of the year—they hold on longer than broad-leaved deciduous trees.

For those looking for evergreen clay remedies, I still recommend the bald cypress—dropping plenty of needles every year is a passive way to add organic matter to the surrounding clay which further absorbs water and enhances drainage over time.

According to the conifer society, bald cypress can grow in USDA zones 4-11. They also make great windbreak trees which can perhaps serve as an edge to your very own fruit-tree food forest!

Thuja (arborvitae) is the most adaptable evergreen that can grow in clay soil. While it prefers well-drained soils, it will still grow, but at a slower rate. Over time, clay-tolerant trees planted onto the berms of swales and covered with organic matter will improve drainage overall.

Thujas are true evergreens and they grow in USDA zones 3-7.

Evergreen trees such as pines, firs, spruces, and yews are not recommended for planting in water-logged clay soils. These trees can grow in clay, but not if it doesn’t drain.

Test your clay for drainage by forking a hole with a pitchfork, dumping in some water, and waiting for it to drain. When it’s drained, dump another container of water in and time how long it takes to drain. If it’s longer than two hours; go with thuja, cypress, or larch.

If you really want any other evergreen aside from those three; ensure you assess your land, aerate the clay with a pitchfork, create a swale, plant it on the berm and out of the water, add compost, and mulch. This will be their best chance.

12 Fast-growing shrubs for clay soil

Below is a list of 9 shrubs that grow fast AND tolerate wet clay soil (plus some of them are deliciously [edible], and ALL of them are edible as survival foods!)

If you’re unable to do much about fixing clay soil with swales—these are your go-to options for shrubs.

Sitka Alder (Alnus sinuata)
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Dog Rose (Rosa canina) [edible]
Beak Willow (Salix bebbiana)
Willow (Salix gilgiana)
Dune Willow (Salix hookeriana)
Shining Willow (Salix lucida)
Meadow willow (Salix petiolaris)
Sesban (Sesbania sesban) [edible]
All sorts of Hawthorns (Crataegus x) [edible]
Western Mayhaw (Crataegus opaca) [edible]
American cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus) [edible]

59 Fast-growing Perennials for clay soil

Fast-growing perennials that grow in clay beautify your landscape faster, and provide you with medicine, and food. This list is to help you feel a bit more limitless about your soil type! Clay can be great for growing.

In this list, I’ve included 59 fast-growing perennials with various colors, sizes, and uses. Numerous possible options are available for you to plant a diverse garden that benefits your soil, everyone’s eyes, and wildlife’s needs.

Several of these perennials for clay also grow in shade, read the description of each plant to find the most suitable options for you!

Any of the plants below that aren’t specified to grow in “heavy AND wet clay” may not do well in water-logged clay. All options can do well in reasonably drained clay (and with well-draining clay, your library of options is far greater a list than I could compile!)

This article was originally published on foodforestliving.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

None of these plants are necessarily exclusively grown in clay. Most grow in many soil types.

Make a list of all the plants offered below that sound suitable for your garden and research each one individually. Make a decision about each plant based on your climate and if they will benefit your garden or not.

Note: I added in some clay-growing annuals as well, because why not become aware of more options? 🙂

Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist soil, but well-drained is optimal
A perennial to USDA zones 9-11
Edible and medicinal properties

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla xanthochlora)

*Photo by: James St. John, Taken on July 5, 2008, “Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle) 2”*

Grows in heavy clay
Green and yellow blooms from June-Sept
Perennial in USDA zones 3-7
Medicinal properties

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Can grow in heavy clay
Edible
Bulb grows in USDA zones 5-11
Pink early summer blooms

Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)

Can grow in heavy clay and shade
USDA zones 3-8
Gorgeous foliage

Australian Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)

USDA zones 9-11
Edible fruit and leaves
Ground cover and erosion controller

Smooth Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri)

Can grow in heavy clay and wet soils
Perennial to USDA zones 8-11
Vibrant cute green succulent foliage, small white flowers
Edible and medicinal

See: 16 Plants for Wet Clay Soil and Shady Areas (Confirmed)

Siberian tea (Bergenia cordifolia + Bergenia crassifolia)

An evergreen perennial to USDA zones 3-9
Can grow in heavy clay and prefers moist soil, even damp areas
Lavender and pink flowers from late winter to late spring, gorgeous foliage
Grows in shade or no shade

Mustards and brassicas

Brassicas come from the mustard plant, they like having anchored roots that clay soil provides
Brassicas also enjoy plenty of water and moisture so they’re generally suitable for heavy clay
Kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, Brussel sprouts, false pak choi, mizuna, kale, turnip, and mustard spinach
Edible!

Marsh marigold (Caltha x)

Perennial to USDA zones 3-7
Flowers March to July
Pollinator attraction
Semi-shade
Calendula too!

Wood sedge (Carex sylvatica)

Evergreen perennial to USDA zones 3-8
Grows in heavy clay and prefers moist or wet soil
Deer-resistant and shade tolerant

Cornflower (Centaurea Montana)

Perennial to zone 3-9
Blue flowers May-August
Attracts pollinators
Can grow in heavy clay

Butterfly pea (Centrosema pubescens)

Evergreen perennials to USDA zone 10-11
No shade to full shade
Nitrogen fixer—so is also great (if not better) to grow as an annual (nitrogen is released upon termination)
Grows in heavy clay and prefers moist, even wet soil
Good as green manure

Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus)

Edible perennial in USDA zones 4-8
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist soil, easy to grow
Spring and summer harvest for immediate cooking

Wild Hyacinth (Camassia leichtlinii / x)

USDA zones 3-7
A bulb that flowers July-July
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist soil
Semi-shade or no shade
Edible bulb, easy to grow

See: Best Bee-Friendly Plants For Clay Soil Improvement

Caper (Capparis spinosa)

Evergreen shrub
USDA zones 8-10
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers drained, moist condition
Edible flower buds

American Water Cress (Cardamine rotundifolia)

Perennial to USDA Zone 5-9
Edible leaves
Grows in clay, prefers wet or moist soil

Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles x superb)

Edible fruiting shrub USDA zone 5-8
Full shade to no shade
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers drainage and moisture

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum carinatum)

July-Sept flower
Edible annual
Heavy clay, prefers well-drained moist soil

Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum)

Evergreen perennial to USDA zones 5-9
Pollinators and songbirds
Full shade to no shade
Easy-to-control ground cover, best under a canopy in semi-shade

Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus)

Edible perennial (tuber) to USDA zones 8-10
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil
No shade

Mock Strawberry (Duchesnea indica)

Edible evergreen perennials to USDA zones 5-11
Heavy clay, prefers well-drained and moist
Semi-shade

Common spike rush (Eleocharis palustris)

Perennial USDA zones 4-8
Heavy clay, wet soil, or water
Semi-shade or no shade
Edible sap and historically used to make pillows and bedding
Check if invasive to your area or not

Perennial Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.)

Edible perennial to zones USDA 5-10
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers well-drained and moist
Staple crops, edible seeds, and leaves

Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca ‘Semperflorens’)

Edible fruiting perennial USDA zones 4-8
Heavy clay soil is fine but prefers well-drained and moist
Semi-shade, no shade

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Evergreen perennial USDA zones 3-10
Pollinators
Heavy clay soil, moist

Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium)

Yellow flowers June-Sept
Evergreen shrub USDA zones 5-8
Heavy clay, moist, rock garden
Semi-shade, no shade

Meadowsweet (Filipendula vulgaris)

Perennial to USDA zones 5-9
Pollinators
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil
Semi-shade, no shade

Harvestbells (Gentiana saponaria)

Perennial to USDA zones 4-8
August-October flower, pollinators
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil
Semi-shade, no shade

Day Lily (Hemerocallis x)

Perennial USDA zones 4-8
Edible (and delicious…)
Heavy clay, prefers drainage
Semi-shade, no shade

Swamp Hosta (Hosta longissima)

Perennial USDA zones 4-8
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil
Edible young shoots (taste like asparagus)
Semi-shade, no shade

Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)

Edible perennial to USDA zones 5-10
White blooms in summer
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil, or water

Swamp Morning Glory (Ipomoea aquatica)

Evergreen perennial USDA zones 10-12, or annual
Heavy clay, moist or wet soil, or water
Edible and good animal fodder, medicinal
Gorgeous morning blooms, vining
No shade

Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)

Perennials USDA zones 4-9
Gorgeous purple, blue, or white blooms in summer
Grow well in heavy clay, moist or wet soil
Semi-shade or no shade

Wild Rosemary, Marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre)

Evergreen perennial shrub USDA zone 2-6
Full shade to no shade
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Medicinal

Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)

Hardy bulb in USDA zones 4-9
Can grow in heavy clay and prefers moist or wet soil
Semi-shade and sun

Sawah Lettuce (Limnocharis flava)

Evergreen perennial USDA zones 10-12
Edible vegetables
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil, or water

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Perennial USDA zones 3-9
Summer-fall blooms of purple and red
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist and wet soil, or water
Semi-shade or full sun

Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

Perennial USDA zones 5-9
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Roots can be used to make soap
Semi-shade or full sun

Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus)

Perennial USDA zones 4-8
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil, or water
Semi-shade or full sun
Useful as a dark dye, medicinal qualities, and edible root for survival

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Perennial USDA zones 3-10
Pink summer blooms
Can grow in heavy clay, moist or wet, or water
Semi-shade, full sun
Edible and other uses

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)

Perennial USDA zones 5-9
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers wet or moist soil, or water
Semi-shade or full sun
Edible leaves, tea
Pest repellent, a great scent “confuser” for a food forest

See: 27 Easy Ground Covers For Clay Soil (Sorted Choices)

Annual water miners lettuce (Montia fontana)

Annual with edible leaves
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers wet or moist soil, or water
Semi-shade or full sun

Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)

Evergreen perennial USDA zones 5-9
Gorgeous blue summer blooms
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil, or water

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

White spring and summer blooms
Perennial USDA zones 3-11
Edible leaves and seeds
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers wet soil or water
Cannot grow in shade

Sacred Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Grow as annual or perennial in USDA zones 10-12
Edible leaves and purple flowers for cooking, garnish, and tea
Medicinal
Insect repellent/scent confuser
Can grow in heavy clay, but prefers well-drained moist areas

Water parsely (Oenanthe sarmentosa)

Edible perennial USDA zones 2-11
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Can’t grow in shade

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

Edible “fiddleheads” hardy to USDA zone 4
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Full-shade or semi-shade

Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata)

Perennial USDA zones 9-11
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Semi-shade or full sun
Edible leaves and shoots

Meadow bistort (Polygonum bistorta)

Perennial zones 4-7
Pink spring-to-summer blooms
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Semi-shade or full sun
Edible leaves, roots, seeds

Arroz bravo (Rhynchoryza subulata)

Perennial USDA zones 9-12
Can’t grow in shade
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Edible seeds/staple crop

Dog Rose (Rosa canina)

Perennial shrub USDA zones 3-7
Wildlife attraction
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers well-drained moist soil, can adapt to wet soil
semi-shade or full sun
Edible flowers, fruit, and seed, make tea, and medicinal

Arrow Head (Sagittaria sagittifolia)

Edible starchy tubers
Perennial USDA zones 6-9
Can grow in heavy clay soil, prefers moist or wet soil. Grows in standing or slow-moving water
Can’t grow in shade

Cat-tail (Typha davidiana)

Perennial USDA zones 3-11
Edible flowers, leaves, roots, shoots, stems, and seeds. Eat roots like potatoes, or make a sweet syrup
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers wet soil, or water
Can’t grow in shade

Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)

Hardy to perennial USDA zone 2
Evergreen shrub
Edible fruit, high in pectin
Not the best in heavy clay, but prefers moist or wet soil.
Semi-shade or full sun

Sarawak Bean (Vigna hosei)

Perennial climber USDA zones 10-12
Ground cover, nitrogen fixer, and green manure—good to grow as an annual too
Semi-shade or full sun
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil

Black Mung Bean (Vigna mungo)

Annual, perennial to USDA zones 10-12
Edible leaves and seeds
Green manure, nitrogen fixer, soap making
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil, can tolerate drought too
Can’t grow in shade

Japanese Horseradish (Wasabia japonica)

Perennial USDA zones 7-10
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers wet soil or water
Semi-shade or full sun
Edible leaves and root

Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima)

Perennial shrub USDA zones 5-9
Full shade to full sun
Medicinal
Dyes, ground cover
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Spring flowers

Beautiful bluebells (Mertensia bella)

Perennial USDA zones 3-9
Edible flowers and leaves
Can grow in heavy clay, prefers moist or wet soil
Semi-shade or full sun
Little blue flowers

Remember: these are some of the fast-growing plants! You have plenty more medium and slower-growing options out there. Decide what you want to grow and check the soil each plant can tolerate.

Consider these steps before purchasing and planting any plants: 5 Phases to Create Well-Drained Clay Soil for Growing Food

For any plants labeled “edible,” on this or any other article, required that you do your own independent research on the risks associated with the plant before consuming. Most edible items have cautions to be aware of for your personal consideration. Food Forest Living and its authors are not responsible for what you choose to consume. You are to do your own due diligence to make decisions for yourself.

Assembling a clay-soil food forest is less limited than you think! Many more options are available to you and will become available to you as your soil improves over time.

How Long Does It Take To Grow a Food Forest?

When to Put What Under Mulch (If Anything)