All Soil Types
There are 12 main soil types found across the United States. Each has different characteristics that affect drainage, nutrient availability, pH, and which plants will thrive. Click on any soil type below to read the full guide.
Clay
Heavy, nutrient-rich soil that retains moisture and is slow to drain. Common across the Midwest and Southeast US.
Read Full Guide →Sandy
Light, fast-draining soil that warms quickly. Found in coastal areas and arid regions throughout the country.
Read Full Guide →Loam
Balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay considered ideal for most gardening and agriculture.
Read Full Guide →Silt
Smooth, fertile soil that holds moisture and nutrients well. Typically found near river floodplains.
Read Full Guide →Sandy Loam
Well-draining blend with more sand than silt or clay. Excellent for root vegetables and herbs.
Read Full Guide →Clay Loam
Balanced blend of clay and loam offering good structure and nutrient retention.
Read Full Guide →Silty Clay
Fine-textured, nutrient-rich soil that holds water well but can be slow to drain.
Read Full Guide →Peat
Dark, organic-rich, acidic soil found in wetland areas. Excellent moisture retention.
Read Full Guide →Chalk
Alkaline, free-draining soil over limestone. Limits acid-loving plants but suits many herbs.
Read Full Guide →Sandy Clay
Dense mix of sand and clay particles. Challenging to work but manageable with amendments.
Read Full Guide →Silty Loam
Productive blend of silt and loam found across many US agricultural regions.
Read Full Guide →Rocky
Shallow soil with stone fragments. Well-drained but typically low in organic matter.
Read Full Guide →Soil Type Comparison
| Soil Type | Drainage | Nutrient Retention | Workability | Water Holding | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | Slow | High | Difficult | High | Perennials, shrubs |
| Sandy | Fast | Low | Easy | Low | Root vegetables, herbs |
| Loam | Moderate | High | Easy | Moderate | Most plants |
| Silt | Moderate | High | Moderate | High | Vegetables, grasses |
| Sandy Loam | Good | Moderate | Easy | Moderate | Carrots, beans, herbs |
| Clay Loam | Moderate | High | Moderate | High | Fruit trees, roses |
| Silty Clay | Slow | High | Difficult | Very High | Rice, willows |
| Peat | Poor | Very High | Moderate | Very High | Blueberries, azaleas |
| Chalk | Fast | Low | Moderate | Low | Lavender, rosemary |
| Sandy Clay | Moderate | Moderate | Difficult | Moderate | Adapted natives |
| Silty Loam | Good | High | Easy | Moderate | Corn, wheat, tomatoes |
| Rocky | Very Fast | Low | Difficult | Very Low | Alpines, succulents |