How to Determine What Will Grow in Bedrock

Check the soil in the pot your plant came in. Plants that grow in rich peat and topsoil will not grow in bedrock, but if the plant came in sandy, dry or gravelly soil, it may grow in bedrock. A plant that tolerates acidic, alkaline soils, especially well-drained soils with a mixture of sand, will have a better chance of surviving in bedrock.

Read the tag on your potted plant if it has one. The tag will usually specify how much shade and water the plant needs, as well as the kind of soil it requires. Plants that need a minimum of shade and water are more likely to grow in bedrock.

Examine the plant's foliage. Large, soft, broad leaves tend to sublimate moisture and usually indicate a plant that will not thrive in bedrock. Thin, sharp and hard leaves like those of the desert yucca may indicate a hardier plant, as will round globular leaves like those of succulents.

Dig a little of the soil out of your plant's pot and examine its roots. Plants that thrive in bedrock are more likely to have shallow, dry root systems with a comparatively narrow spread. Plants that have deep, broad root systems are more likely to require richer, deeper soil.