Weeds as Soil Indicators

By Susan Sides
Published on August 1, 2012
article image
PHOTO: SUSAN SIDES
Goldenrod prefers to grow in wet soil.

Weeds usually cause problems when gardening, but did you know weeds can also act as soil indicators, informing you of what type of soil you have in the garden?

Weeds as Soil Indicators

Acid soil: Ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), curly dock (Rumex crispus), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), sow thistle (Sonchus species), prostrate knotweed (Poly-gonum aviculare), lady’s-thumb (Polygonum persicaria), wild strawberries (Fragaria species), plantain (Plantago major), rough cinquefoil (Potentilla monspeliensis), silvery cinquefoil (Potentilla argentea), hawkweeds (Hieracium aurantiacum and pratense), knapweeds (Centaurea species).

Alkaline soil: Field peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum), goosefoot (Chenopodium species), gromwell (Lithospermum officinale), true chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), bladder campion (Silene latifolia).

Wet soil: Cattail (Typha latifolia), horsetail (Equisetum arvense), bull sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), lady’s-thumb (Polygonum persicaria), joe-pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum), silvery cinquefoil (Potentilla argentea), curly dock (Rumex crispus), mosses, Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum), tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). May apple (Podophyllum peltatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), thyme-leafed speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), lance-leaved goldenrod (Solidago graminifolia), meadow pink (Lychnis floscuculi), jewelweed (Impatiens pallida), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), ground nut (Apios americana).

Dry soil: Virginia pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum), rough cinquefoil (Potentilla monspeliensis), potato vine (Ipomoea pandurata).

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