Clay-based soils can present unique challenges, but many native plants are well-suited to thrive in these conditions. Whether you are looking for trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, or groundcovers, there is a wide variety of species that not only tolerate clay but can also help improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and support local wildlife. 

How to identify clay-based soils? When you grab a handful of soil and squeeze it, clay soils will feel smooth and sticky, often forming a firm, compact ball or ribbon. It’s hard to crumble, even when dry, and feels dense when wet. Clay soil is often darker in color when wet, with a shiny, slick surface. When dry, it may crack and have a hard, crumbly texture. Clay soils drain slowly. If you water the area, you’ll notice water pooling or lingering on the surface for a long time instead of soaking in quickly.

One of the key features of clay is its ability to retain moisture and nutrients. However, this also leads to poor drainage and slow air movement, which can result in root suffocation for some plants. Clay soils are often heavy and compacted, making them more difficult to work with, but they can also support deep-rooted plants. Plants that thrive in clay soils are typically well-adapted to its dense, moisture-retaining nature. These plants have developed special traits that allow them to survive in conditions where other plants might struggle. They tend to have deep or extensive root systems, are moisture-tolerant, and can also withstand drought. Additionally, they are adaptable to a variety of conditions, exhibiting flexible growth habits that help them manage the challenges of clay-based soils.

Trees Tolerant of Clay-based Soils

• American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) – Up to 10 m tall, smaller in clay-based soils, white flowers, orange berries, supports birds.  
• American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) – Grows up to 35 m, long-lived and fast-growing, one of the larges trees in Eastern North America.
• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) – Can thrive in moist to well-drained clay, offering fruit for wildlife and a beautiful bark.
• Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) – A long-lived tree that thrives in deep, fertile soils and can tolerate clay and produces valuable nuts.
• Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) – Tolerates heavy, compacted clay soils and is drought-resistant, making it a resilient choice for difficult soils.
• Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – Known for its early spring purple blooms, it tolerates drier clay soils and adds ornamental value.
• Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) – A long-lived evergreen, tolerant of a variety of soils and moisture levels. 
• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) – A hardy tree adaptable to both dry and moist clay, offering shade and shelter to wildlife.
• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) – A sturdy, fast-growing oak that can adapt to clay soils and supports many species.
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) – A small, multi-stemmed tree that can thrive in well-drained clay, producing edible berries.
• Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) – Tolerates a range of clay conditions and produces valuable edible nuts.
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) – Prefers moist clay and grows rapidly, often used for larger landscapes.
• Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) – Thrives in wet clay and provides excellent wildlife habitat.
• Tamarack (Larix laricina) – Up to 20 m tall, requires some consistent moisture, only conifer to drop needles, fast-growing and long-lived.
• White Spruce (Picea glauca) – A conifer that can tolerate moist, clay soils and offers year-round interest.

Shrubs Tolerant of Clay-based Soils

• American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) – Can thrive in clay and produces bright red berries that attract birds.
• Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – Can grow in moist clay, offering edible berries and attracting pollinators.
• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) – Excellent for wet, sites and can tolerate clay and attracts pollinators with its unique round blooms.
• Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) – Adaptable to clay soils, it produces dark berries and vibrant autumn foliage.
• Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) – Up to 6-9 m, white flowers in spring, red-black cherries, favoured by birds. Tolerates clay and grows in dry to moist sites
• Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) – Can thrives in clay soils, stabilizes slopes, and provides aromatic foliage. Good for difficult-to-grow sites.
• Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) – Tolerates drier clay soils and produces clusters of white flowers. Can grow in difficult-to-grow sites.
• Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata) – Up to 4-5 m tall, host plant to Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, can tolerate sun to shade. Can tolerate clay.
• Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) – Grows in all soils types and can tolerate moist clay soils and provides fragrant white blooms attractive to pollinators.
• Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago) – Thrives in a variety of soil types including clay soils and offers attractive berries and fall color.
• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) – Adaptable to various soil types, including clay, and offers ornamental bark and flowers.
• Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Prefers wetter soils but tolerant of many sites and can grow in clay soils and produces striking red stems in winter.

Wildflowers and Grasses Tolerant of Clay-based Soils

• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Adapts well to various clay conditions.
• Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) – Great for shaded clay soils.
• Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) – Tolerates clay, requires moisture. Plant low where water collects. Has tall spikes of vibrant purple flowers.
• Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix) – Can thrive in clay soils, Thrives in shade or part-shade. Has showy spiky seed heads.
• Branched Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) – Thrives in clay soils. Prolific late season bloomer, yellow flowers. Attracts pollinators.
• Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) – Resilient in clay soils. Spreading.
• Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis) –  Thrives in clay soils. Attractive feathery seed heads.
• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) – Thrives in clay soils. Fragrant pink flowers. Attracts pollinators. The host plant to monarchs. Spreading.
• Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum): Thrives in mesic to moist clay.
• Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) – Prefers moist, clay-rich soils and produces tall purple spikes that attract butterflies.
• Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) – Thrives in wet clay.
• Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) – Thrives in moist clay soils and some shade.
• Grey-Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) – Adapts well to clay soils, thriving in both dry and moist conditions.
• Helenium /Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) – Can thrive in clay soils. Bright, daisy-like yellow flowers. Attracts pollinators. Blooms in late summer-fall.
• Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) – Hardy wildflower that can thrive in clay soils, prefers dry. Has spikes of small, purple flowers that attract pollinators.
• Hyssops (Agastache spp.) – Anise/Blue and Yellow Hyssop can thrive in well-drained clay soils. Attracts pollinators.
• Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) – A grass that can thrive in clay soils. Tall, golden-yellow seed heads and fine-textured foliage, goes gold in the fall.
• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.) – Can thrive in clay soils, producing tall vibrant purple flowers that attract pollinators. Blooms late summer to fall.
• June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) – Adapts to dry, compact clay soils.
• Lance-leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) –  A vibrant yellow wildflower that can thrive in well-drained clay soils. Attracts pollinators.
• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – A native grass that thrives in clay soils. Upright, blue-green foliage that turns gold in the fall.
• New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – Thrives in moist clay soils. Purple blooms with orange centres, blooms late summer into fall.
• Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) – Can thrive in clay soils. Clusters of blue to purple flowers and long, narrow leaves. Attracts pollinators. .
• Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) – Hardy tolerant wildflower that can thrive in clay soils. Pale purple, drooping petals. Attracts pollinators.
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Tolerates clay with good drainage.
• Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) – Performs well in clay soils, producing purple flower clusters that are beneficial to pollinators.
• Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) – Tolerates heavy, dry clay soils and produces spiky, silvery-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
• Showy Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) – A wildflower with pink/purple flowers that can thrive in clay soils. Attracts pollinators.
• Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) – Thrives in clay soils. Yellow flower clusters in late summer- fall. Attracts pollinators.
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Great for wet clay and pollinator gardens. Attracts pollinators. Host plant for monarchs.
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – Great for erosion control on clay slopes.
• Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta) – Great for wetter clay soils.
• Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) – Grows well in compacted soils and grows in sun and part-shade.
• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Tolerates mesic to dry clay soils.
• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Performs well in partial shade and clay.
• Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) – Can thrive in clay soils in shade or part-shade. Yellow flowers in late summer-fall. Spreading woodland plant.