Plants for Southern California Clay Soils

Herbs

• There are more than 50 native herbs in Southern California that thrive in clay soil types. These herbs include mugwort, wild ginger and soap lily. The wide array of native clay soil herbs in the region makes it easy to grow an impressive herb garden as part of your landscape.

Vining Plants

• Vining plants vary immensely in Southern California as well as other parts of the state, and several thrive in clay soils with little need for enrichment. These plants include morning glory and honeysuckle. Several color variations of morning glory and honeysuckle thrive throughout Southern California.

Lawns

• Clay-loving grasses and ground-covers serve as excellent additions to a Southern California lawn. California broome, horsetail, leopard lily and wild barley are grassy plants that thrive in these conditions. Other landscape friendly plants for similar conditions and use include chia, lady fern and tidy tips, but these require moderate moisture and shade.