Some areas of the country have sandy soil, while others have clay soil. If you live in a desert region or an area that is located near the coast, it is possible that the soil where your plants will grow is sandy. This type of soil is not known to be a great option for most plants because it will not hold water or nutrients for long, which means that the plants in the soil will have a difficult time growing without regular water and fertilizer. In fact, one of the best ways to help increase the growth potential of sandy soil is to mix it with compost. This will help build up the organic matter that is common in soil and help increase the nutrients that are available to your plants.
Another concern with this type of soil is the potential for erosion to occur because sandy soil is going to be much looser than clay soil. On the other hand, some plants prefer this type of well-drained soil, so if you find the right plant, you will be able to have a beautiful garden in no time. In general, some of the plants that will thrive in sandy soil include cacti, succulents, and similar plants that can live without a lot of outside maintenance and care.
One of the best types of gardens to grow in this environment is a rock garden because plants that tend to grow well in rocky soil will also grow well in sandy soil. Gardens that have a lot of ground cover will also do well in sandy soil, so you will have options for your garden.
In this guide, we are going to take a look at 20 different plants that will thrive in sandy soil.
Sedum
Sedum is a hardy succulent that can be used as ground cover. It can grow without much water, in poor soil, and in intense sun and heat. These plants have flowers in shades of pink, and they grow best in zones three through 10.
Russian Sage
This purple sage actually prefers dry conditions, so it will thrive in sandy soil in growing zones five through 10. It is also a plant that does not require a lot of water or sun. They do spread, so you may need to prune and separate the plant.
Cosmos
This plant can easily handle harsh conditions including drought and poor soil, so if you need a flowering annual that can attract butterflies, birds, and bees, then this may be an option. They tend to grow best in zones two through 11.
Salvia
Salvia is a plant that can tolerate a lot of heat and dry soil while attracting butterflies and other pollinators. They prefer well-drained soil, which helps them thrive in sandy soil, and they tend to grow the best in hardiness zones eight to 10.
Larkspur
Larkspurs can grow anywhere from one to seven feet in height. These plants can tolerate dry soil, but you will want to combine it with mulch. This plant grows best in zones two through 10, and they prefer shady conditions.
Hosta
If you are looking for lush foliage for a sandy soil garden, then hostas are worth considering. They grow best in zones three through nine, and they can tolerate high temperatures and drier soil, so they will thrive in sandy soil.
Lavender
Lavender is a lovely smelling plant that is ideal for this type of environment because it grows best in well-drained soil. It does not need a lot of nutrients to grow, and it loves the heat. This plant grows best in zones five through nine.
Butterfly Weed
If you want to attract butterflies and other pollinators, then butterfly weed is going to be ideal. This lovely orange flowering plant grows in hardiness zones three through nine, and it can grow in dry, rocky soil and drought conditions.
Phlox
Phlox is a beautiful violet ground cover that will grow well in sandy soil. It can grow in most soil conditions, and it likes a lot of sunlight. They grow best in zones four through eight.
Liatris
This is a plant that can easily grow to be up to five feet tall. It is very versatile, so it will grow well in sandy soil, especially in zones five through nine. The flowers that it produces are purple.
Columbine
Growing best in zones three through nine, the columbine plant is one that will attract hummingbirds to your garden. Typically, the plants grow to be about two feet tall with blooms that can be many colors. They grow best in well-drained soil.
Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye Weed is an attractive pink flowering plant that grows best in zones four through nine. It can grow in both full or partial shade, and it will tolerate drier conditions. It’s great for adding height to your garden because it can easily grow to 12 feet.
Foxglove
Foxglove are very vibrant plants that grow well in zones four through 10. These plants prefer well-drained soil and partial shade, but they can tolerate most growing conditions. These plants are poisonous, so grow them in an area away from kids and pets.
Cleome
Also known as spider flowers, a cleome plant is a great option for sandy soil in zones four to 10. These plants are great at tolerating drought conditions, but they also don’t tend to bloom until they are well established in your garden.
Gazania
This extremely low maintenance plant grows best in zones nine through 11. Resembling a colorful daisy, these plants will bloom in dry, sandy, or poorly fertilized soil. They are also drought-resistant plants, so they will not die if you forget about them.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a common plant to grow in this type of soil. This resilient, easy-to-grow plant loves a lot of heat and sunlight, so it’s ideal for areas where sandy soil is common. This plant tends to grow best in zones three through nine.
Daylily
Seen most in zones four through nine, the daylily is a plant that can tolerate almost any type of soil. They also do not attract pests, so they require very little care to thrive. The blooms open in the morning, and by sunsets, they die.
Black Eyed Susan
In zones three through nine, you can easily grow Black-eyed Susan. Technically, the yellow and dark brown plant is a wildflower, but it is a plant that will tolerate a lot of sun, and it prefers well-drained soil.
Crape Myrtle
If you are looking for a plant that can live in cold conditions where the soil is not that great, then the crape myrtle is ideal. It produces beautiful blooms, and it does not require a lot of care. These plants grow best in zones seven through 10.
Zinnia
Growing in hardiness zones three through 10, the zinnia is one of the easiest plants to grow, especially in sandy soil. They like heat and well-drained soil, but they can also easily adapt to most growing conditions, especially if you add fertilizer to the soil.