What Type of Soil Do Avocados Like: Acidic or Alkaline?

pH Levels

• While avocados can tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils, the plant does best in a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, slightly acidic to nearly neutral. Soils that are too acidic may be sweetened by mixing in lime before planting. Pine needles and peat moss help bring alkaline soils closer to the desired pH range for avocados. The addition of organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves or grass clippings tends to bring soils closer to a neutral pH of 7.

Soil Conditions

• At least as important as pH, avocado trees prefer well-drained soils with no standing water. Poorly drained soils and periodic flooding results in stunted plant growth, nutrient deficiencies, reduced fruit yield and even plant death. Loam soils are best, but sandy conditions as well as decomposed granite and limestone-based soils that are loose and aerated are also acceptable.

Nutrients

• Avocados are especially susceptible to iron deficiencies in alkaline soils, those that are above a 7.0 pH. Adding some plant iron granules can often right the problem. Soil pH can also impact how well plants absorb nutrients from the ground. In alkaline or acidic soils, the addition of a fertilizer blend that includes nitrogen, phosphorous, potash and magnesium helps the plant grow strong. Avocados also utilize several metals -- copper, manganese, zinc and boron -- to supplement nutritional needs. These may be added to soils three to four times a year.

Evergreen

• Although avocados are classified as evergreen trees, they do tend to lose their leaves at times during the year. Typically, this occurs just before and just after flowering, when much of the tree's energy is diverted to producing blooms. Loss of leaves during this time is normal and need not be considered an indication of poor nutrient absorption, nutrient deficiencies or poor pH soil conditions.