Skip to main content

Wet soil can drown most plants — but not these 13 shrubs

Have you ever heard of a plant not liking wet feet? It’s true; some plants don’t like their roots to be soaked for too long. Many plants don’t do well or will die in overly wet conditions. So what can you plant in wet soil, and how is wet soil defined?

What is wet soil?

While wet soil is almost impossible to define consistently from gardener to gardener, it’s agreed that wet soil is not swamp conditions. If the soil is so wet that it drips with water when you scoop it up, that’s swamp conditions. If the soil clumps together and leaves your hands wet, that’s wet soil. Many plants would not do well in soil that stays this wet for the majority of the time. There are, however, many plants that thrive and prefer this kind of environment.

Why do some plants hate moist soil?

While it may not seem like it, our earth-loving friends also need oxygen for their roots to grow properly. The more oxygen a plant’s roots get, the better it is at absorbing nutrients. This fact alone is how hydroponics works, but it is also why some plants do not do well in hydroponics.

When soil is too wet, it does not allow the plant’s roots to get enough oxygen, and eventually, the plant drowns. This usually leads to root rot. For bigger plants such as trees, wet soil can be too soft and not supportive enough. Trees in this condition are at risk of falling over due to a lack of support.

grass in wet soil

What shrubs do well in wet soil?

Even though they are not all included here, these are some of the shrubs that love wet soil. For a full list of shrubs, trees, and ground cover plants that love damp soil, check out this list from Penn State.

Shrubs

There are an astounding number of shrubs that do well in wet conditions.

  • Red chokeberry
  • Black chokeberry
  • Sweetshrub
  • Button Bush
  • Summersweet
  • Redosier dogwood
  • Possumhaw
  • Winterberry
  • Virginia sweetspire
  • Pinksterbloom azalea
  • Highbush blueberry
  • Arrowwood viburnum
  • American Cranberrybush
winterberry
Marilyn Barbone/Shutterstock

Tips for water-loving roots

These kinds of shrubs can be a great addition to a wet yard; however, there are a few things to keep in mind. Because these plants love water and usually need a lot of water to grow and be healthy, they can reduce the amount of water in the surrounding area. This can become a problem when they run out of water and go searching for it someplace else.

Wet soil-loving plants tend to have expansive root systems, and they might find their way to a pipe and break in. If they are planted too close to a home, there could potentially be pipe damage in the future — something to keep in mind when considering where to plant one of these beautiful plants or shrubs.

Some veggies like wet conditions, too

If you have a green thumb and want to enjoy a few fresh, homegrown  vegetables, that soggy area can produce some wonderful produce, as well.

While most root vegetables don’t do well in wet soil, try planting the skirret carrot, which is widely grown in Japan and China. It loves wet soil and can be prepared just like you would regular carrots.

Asparagus is another vegetable that likes damp soil. In fact, you’ll sometimes find it growing wild in ditches. Other plants that do well with damp or wet soil include taro, rhubarb, Tanier spinach, mint, pear trees, fox grapes, red raspberries, and strawberries,

It can sometimes be hard to know what to plant where, and when you have a tough situation like wet soil, it can get even more challenging. However, with these options, you can fill the spaces on your property that are damp or suffer from poor drainage. These plants will not disappoint with their hardiness and ability to be happy with wet feet.

Meanwhile, do you know that some plants thrive in wet climates? Read on to learn more about it.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
Which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide? Here are 4 air-cleaning plants to add to your home
Easy-care houseplants that will cleanse the air in your home
English ivy up close

It doesn't matter if you live in the city or out on a homestead; clean air in our homes is something we all want. While using air filters and opening up windows are great ways to keep your air fresh and clean, sometimes they just aren't options. To get you started on cleaning up the air in your home, we'll be talking about the plants you can use to improve the quality of your air and the aesthetics of your space. Keep reading to learn which plants absorb the most carbon dioxide.

Why find carbon dioxide-absorbing plants?
There isn't anything you have to do to encourage a plant to absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. It's what it does naturally! That goes for all plants, from a giant rubber tree to a modest cactus. Any plant that uses photosynthesis to create its energy will improve your air quality. You can also find plants that absorb other toxic things from the air. For example, a bamboo palm will reduce levels of formaldehyde from the air as well. So if you're looking for a forest of air-cleaning plants, you're sure to find it.

Read more
3 simple ways plants can (and should) be incorporated into a slow living routine
Low-maintenance ways to bring gardening into your slow living routine
A happy gardener with gloves

Life can feel like it’s all about the grind, but it doesn’t have to be hustle and bustle all the time. Slow living is a lifestyle all about being in the moment and moving through the world at your own speed. But you don’t have to turn your life around to enjoy a slower life. Incorporating plants into your everyday routine is a great way to pump the brakes and enjoy life at a slower pace. If you’re curious about slow living and how gardening can be a part of this growing lifestyle, read on.

What is the slow living movement?
What exactly is slow living? Well, it’s really all in the name. Slow living, at its core, encourages a slower approach to living. Countering a fast-paced life, it’s all about completing things at a leisurely pace. It emerges as pushback against consumer and hustle culture as it favors being intentional with your time, energy, and resources. The goal of slow living is to be present in your daily life and avoid packing your schedule with things to do. As such, you'll be able to engage with life in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Read more
What is coconut soil, and how can it make your garden better?
Learn about coconut soil, a sustainable must for your hydroponic system
Person with small plant in hands

Coconut soil, or coco soil, as it's often called, hasn't been around for very long, but its history goes back only a few decades. In a relatively short amount of time, it's gone from a niche product to a popular trend among gardeners who need a highly efficient growing medium.

There are myriad benefits waiting for the gardener who chooses to use coconut soil. One of the most attractive benefits is that coco soil and coco coir are considered to be entirely renewable and sustainable.

Read more