Plants that like acidic fertilizers are those that naturally grow in soils with a low pH and benefit from nutrients being more available under acidic conditions. Acidic fertilizers help lower soil pH slightly, allowing these plants to absorb essential elements such as iron, manganese, and zinc more efficiently. Without the right soil acidity, these plants may struggle to grow or show signs of nutrient deficiency.
One major reason acidic fertilizers are beneficial is their role in preventing leaf yellowing, especially in plants sensitive to alkaline soils. When soil is too alkaline, iron becomes less available, leading to poor chlorophyll production. Acidic fertilizers help correct this imbalance and support healthy, green foliage.
Plants that prefer acidic fertilizers are often found in forest and woodland environments, where decomposing leaves and organic matter naturally acidify the soil. These plants usually thrive in rich, well-drained soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. Acidic feeding helps mimic their natural growing conditions.
Many of these plants are valued for their ornamental beauty and productivity. Proper soil acidity enhances flowering, fruit development, and overall plant vigor. Using acidic fertilizers encourages stronger root systems and more consistent growth throughout the growing season.
Plants That Like Acidic Fertilizers
Blueberries
Blueberries require highly acidic conditions with pH between 4.0-5.5 and benefit tremendously from regular applications of acidic fertilizers formulated specifically for acid-loving plants. These productive shrubs need sulfur-based or ammonium-form fertilizers that maintain low pH while providing essential nutrients.
Without acidic fertilization, blueberries develop chlorosis, produce poorly, and eventually decline, making acid fertilizer applications critical for successful berry production and healthy plant growth.
Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons absolutely require acidic fertilizers to maintain the pH 4.5-6.0 range necessary for nutrient uptake and healthy growth. These broad-leaved evergreens respond excellently to specialized rhododendron fertilizers containing acidifying agents and chelated iron.
Regular applications of acidic fertilizer prevent the yellowing leaves and stunted growth that occur when pH rises too high, ensuring the dark green foliage and spectacular blooms rhododendrons are prized for.
Azaleas
Azaleas demand acidic fertilizers to maintain soil pH between 4.5-6.0 and access the iron and other nutrients essential for vigorous growth and abundant flowering. These popular flowering shrubs benefit from slow-release acidic fertilizers applied in spring and early summer.
Azalea-specific fertilizers contain acidifying sulfur compounds and properly balanced nutrients that support both lush foliage and the spectacular spring flower displays these plants are famous for.
Camellias
Camellias require acidic fertilizers to maintain pH between 5.5-6.5 and support their glossy evergreen foliage and stunning winter or spring blooms. These acid-loving plants respond well to fertilizers formulated for azaleas and camellias that contain iron, sulfur, and balanced nutrition.
Regular acidic fertilization prevents chlorosis and promotes the dark green leaves and abundant flower production that make camellias valuable ornamental plants.
Hydrangeas (Blue-Flowering)
Blue-flowering hydrangeas require acidic fertilizers containing aluminum sulfate to maintain the low pH (5.0-5.5) necessary for producing blue flowers instead of pink.
The flower color of bigleaf hydrangeas is directly related to soil pH and aluminum availability, making acidic fertilization crucial for achieving and maintaining desired blue blooms.
Without acidic fertilizer applications, these hydrangeas will shift toward pink or purple flowers as pH rises.
Gardenias
Gardenias thrive with acidic fertilizers that maintain pH between 5.0-6.0 and provide the iron and nutrients needed for dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. These evergreen shrubs are prone to iron chlorosis in higher pH conditions, making regular applications of acid fertilizer essential.
Gardenia-specific fertilizers contain chelated iron and acidifying compounds that prevent yellowing and support the lush growth and prolific blooming gardenias are celebrated for.
Holly
Holly plants prefer acidic fertilizers that maintain pH between 5.0-6.0 and support their glossy evergreen foliage and bright berry production. Both American and Japanese hollies benefit from fertilizers formulated for acid-loving evergreens that provide balanced nutrition while lowering pH.
Acidic fertilization ensures hollies maintain their characteristic dark green color and produce abundant red berries on female plants.
Pieris
Pieris, also called andromeda, requires acidic fertilizer to maintain pH between 4.5-6.0 and support its delicate spring flowers and colorful new growth. These broad-leaved evergreens benefit from the same acidic fertilizers used for rhododendrons and azaleas.
Regular acidic fertilization prevents nutrient deficiencies and promotes the cascading flower clusters and bronze to red new foliage that makes pieris valuable for spring interest.
Heather and Heaths
Heather and heath plants demand highly acidic conditions with pH between 4.5-5.5 and benefit from specialized ericaceous fertilizers. These low-growing evergreens struggle in neutral or alkaline soils and require regular acidic fertilization to thrive.
Acid fertilizers formulated for heathers provide appropriate nutrition while maintaining the extremely low pH these plants need for healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Japanese Maple
Japanese maples prefer slightly acidic conditions with pH between 5.5-6.5 and respond well to acidic fertilizers that prevent iron chlorosis. These ornamental trees develop their most vibrant foliage colors when grown with appropriate acidic fertilization that maintains optimal pH.
Fertilizers designed for acid-loving trees help Japanese maples avoid the yellowing leaves that occur in alkaline conditions while supporting their delicate growth and spectacular seasonal color changes.
Magnolias
Magnolias thrive with acidic fertilizers that maintain pH between 5.0-6.5 and provide nutrients in forms accessible at lower pH levels. These flowering trees benefit from slow-release acidic fertilizers applied in spring that support both foliage growth and spectacular blooms.
Regular acidic fertilization prevents nutrient deficiencies and promotes the healthy growth necessary for magnolias to produce their iconic large flowers.
Mountain Laurel
Mountain laurel requires highly acidic fertilizers to maintain pH between 4.5-5.5 and support its evergreen foliage and distinctive cup-shaped flowers. This native shrub benefits from the same ericaceous fertilizers used for rhododendrons and azaleas.
Acidic fertilization is essential for mountain laurel to access nutrients and produce the glossy leaves and abundant late-spring blooms that make it valuable for woodland gardens.
Dogwood
Dogwoods prefer acidic fertilizers that maintain pH between 5.0-6.5 and prevent the nutrient deficiencies common when these trees grow in alkaline conditions. Both flowering dogwood and kousa dogwood benefit from acidic fertilization that supports their spring flowers, attractive foliage, and ornamental berries.
Fertilizers formulated for acid-loving trees help dogwoods maintain the dark green leaves necessary for photosynthesis and the energy needed for spectacular flowering.
Strawberries
Strawberries prefer slightly acidic conditions with pH between 5.5-6.5 and produce best when given acidic fertilizers that maintain optimal pH. These productive berry plants benefit from balanced acidic fertilizers that support both vegetative growth and fruit production.
Regular acidic fertilization ensures strawberries access iron and other nutrients efficiently while producing abundant, flavorful berries throughout the growing season.
Potatoes
Potatoes grow best in acidic soil with pH between 5.0-6.0, and acidic fertilization helps prevent scab disease while supporting tuber development. These vegetable crops benefit from fertilizers that maintain lower pH and provide balanced nutrition for healthy foliage and abundant tuber production.
Acidic fertilization is particularly important for potatoes because it reduces the incidence of common scab, a disfiguring disease favored by higher pH levels.
Ferns
Most fern species prefer acidic conditions with pH between 5.0-6.5 and thrive when given acidic fertilizers formulated for woodland plants. These shade-loving plants benefit from gentle, acidic fertilization that mimics the nutrient-rich, low pH leaf litter of their native forest habitats.
Acidic fertilizers support the lush, green fronds ferns are known for while maintaining the soil conditions these ancient plants evolved to prefer.
Leucothoe
Leucothoe is an acid-loving evergreen shrub requiring pH between 4.5-6.0 and benefits from the same acidic fertilizers used for rhododendrons. These arching shrubs with drooping flower clusters thrive when given regular applications of ericaceous fertilizers.
Acidic fertilization supports leucothoe’s glossy foliage, which often takes on burgundy tones in fall and winter, and promotes the white bell-shaped flowers that appear in spring.
Pine Trees
Pine trees generally prefer acidic soils with pH between 4.5-6.0 and benefit from acidic fertilizers that maintain low pH and provide appropriate nutrition. These evergreen conifers naturally acidify soil through their needle drop but appreciate supplemental acidic fertilization, especially when grown in neutral or alkaline conditions.
Acid fertilizers help pines maintain healthy green needles and vigorous growth while preventing nutrient deficiencies common at higher pH levels.
Cranberries
Cranberries require extremely acidic conditions with pH between 4.0-5.0 and demand specialized acidic fertilizers for successful cultivation. These bog-loving plants need acidifying fertilizers that maintain very low pH while providing balanced nutrition for vine growth and berry production.
Without proper acidic fertilization, cranberries develop severe nutrient deficiencies and fail to produce the tart red berries they’re cultivated for.
Conifers (General)
Most coniferous evergreens including spruce, fir, and hemlock prefer acidic conditions and benefit from fertilizers formulated for acid-loving plants. These trees thrive when pH ranges from 5.0-6.5 and acidic fertilization helps prevent needle yellowing and maintains vigorous growth.
Evergreen fertilizers with acidifying properties support the dark green needle color and healthy growth habits that make conifers valuable for screening and year-round interest.
Kalmia (Mountain Laurel relatives)
Kalmia species require highly acidic soil with pH between 4.5-5.5 and thrive when given ericaceous fertilizers designed for acid-loving broadleaf evergreens. These relatives of mountain laurel demand the same strict pH requirements and benefit from regular acidic fertilization.
Specialized acid fertilizers ensure kalmias access nutrients efficiently while supporting their glossy evergreen foliage and clusters of distinctive flowers.
Ericaceous Plants (General)
The entire Ericaceae family, including heathers, wintergreens, and many other plants, requires acidic fertilizers to maintain pH below 6.0. These acid-loving plants have evolved to thrive in low pH conditions and struggle when soil becomes neutral or alkaline.
Ericaceous fertilizers contain sulfur, chelated iron, and properly balanced nutrients that maintain acidic conditions while supporting the specialized needs of this plant family.
Iris (Some species)
Certain iris species, particularly Japanese iris and some beardless varieties, prefer acidic conditions with pH between 5.5-6.5. These moisture-loving irises benefit from acidic fertilization that maintains lower pH while providing nutrients for spectacular blooms.
While bearded iris prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil, the acid-loving iris species produce best when given appropriate acidic fertilizers.
Skimmia
Skimmia is an acid-loving evergreen shrub requiring pH between 5.0-6.5 and benefits from regular applications of acidic fertilizers. These compact shrubs produce fragrant flowers and bright red berries on female plants when grown in proper acidic conditions.
Fertilizers formulated for rhododendrons work well for skimmias, supporting their glossy foliage and ornamental berry displays while maintaining optimal pH.
Enkianthus
Enkianthus requires acidic soil with pH between 5.0-6.0 and thrives when given ericaceous fertilizers that maintain low pH. These deciduous shrubs related to rhododendrons produce delicate bell-shaped flowers in spring and brilliant fall color.
Acidic fertilization supports both the spring flowering and the spectacular autumn foliage displays that make enkianthus valuable for acid soil gardens.
Clethra
Clethra, also called summersweet, prefers acidic conditions with pH between 5.0-6.5 and benefits from acidic fertilizers that support its fragrant summer flowers. These native shrubs thrive in moist, acidic soils and respond well to fertilizers formulated for acid-loving plants.
Regular acidic fertilization promotes the dense foliage and abundant white or pink flower spikes that make clethra valuable for shaded, acidic soil sites.
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lily-of-the-valley prefers slightly acidic to acidic conditions with pH between 5.0-6.5 and benefits from gentle acidic fertilization. These spreading groundcovers produce fragrant white bell-shaped flowers in spring and thrive in the acidic, humus-rich soils of woodland gardens.
Light applications of acidic fertilizer support lily-of-the-valley’s vigorous spreading growth and abundant flowering without overwhelming these delicate plants.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra thrives in acidic to slightly acidic soil with pH between 5.5-6.5 and benefits from acidic fertilizers that maintain optimal conditions. This popular evergreen groundcover spreads vigorously in shaded, acidic sites and responds well to light applications of acid fertilizer in spring.
Acidic fertilization supports pachysandra’s glossy green foliage and helps it form dense mats that suppress weeds in shaded acidic soil areas beneath trees and shrubs.