25 Best Plants For Clay Soil Gardens

Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion. Some plants tolerate clay soil and help break up and improve its texture and drainage. Although you’ll still need to meet other growing requirements, including sun exposure and USDA hardiness zones, here are 25 plants that grow in clay soil. (Full sun plants are listed first.)

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Red-purpleSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7Color Varieties: Yellow, orangeSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: Red-purple, whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Fertile, moist, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, redSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: GreenSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, moist

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purpleSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Moist, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Clay or sandy, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, slightly acidic, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Light brownSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Color Varieties: PurpleSun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Rich, slightly acidic, medium to wet moisture

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: PurpleSun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Green, blue, purple, white, silverSun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Pink, rust-red, lavender purpleSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Yellow and brownSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Color Varieties: Light blueSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, white, blueSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Slightly acidic, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Purple, pink, red, gold, orangeSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Color Varieties: Copper, silverSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9Color Varieties: Silver, pinkSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, medium to wet moisture

USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9Color Varieties: Greenish-yellowSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Fertile, moist

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Color Varieties: PinkSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Sandy or clay, medium to wet moisture

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, pink, redSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Well-draining

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Pink, purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-draining