Plants in a tropical garden require a lively, permeable soil. This is hard to come by with clay soil. It consists of fine particles that stick together, causing slow drainage. This means it is harder for water to make its way to the roots of the plant, and when it is sunny out, the soil is prone to drying up and cracking. However, clay soil is often rich in nutrients and when you know how to manage it, you can grow beautiful tropical plants in your yard.

A Guide to Effectively Dealing With Clay Soil in a Tropical Garden

Fertile soil usually requires three things: clay, sand, and silt. Typically, clay is required in a smaller amount than the other two. For this reason, many believe they can add a lot of sand to the soil and break it apart, but in reality, it often causes it to form a concrete-like hardness that is pretty much impervious once it dries. 

Instead of sand, your tropical garden needs a whole lot of organic matter. The microbes in the matter act as a coating on clay soil and work to open up its pores, allowing air and water to penetrate it more easily. This allows the roots of your plants to move through the soil freely, and as the soil becomes more relaxed, earthworms and other organisms will start to move in and loosen it more. 

While your selections might vary depending on your location, any type of organic matter should work for your tropical garden. Some examples include sphagnum, peat moss, compost, green manure, grass clippings and chopped leaves, and chopped pine bark. Try to add some to your garden every year in large quantities, and you should start to see an improvement in the soil in the next season or two. 

When you are searching for new plants to add to your tropical garden, South Maui Gardens in Kihei, HI, has what you need. They are a full-scale nursery and carry a wide variety of high-quality tropical palms, exotic trees, and flowers. Learn more about their selection and services by calling (808) 419-6562 or by visiting their website, today.