7 Fruit Trees You Should Never Grow in Clay Soil, According to Gardening Experts

Peach

Few fruits are as delicious as a homegrown peach. However, peach tree roots don't like to be in deep, wet, and highly compacted soils with a high percentage of clay.

“This type of soil doesn't have good airflow, and there's a tendency for root rot to occur in the early spring in soils that don't drain sufficiently,” warns Tammy Sons, founder of TN Nursery. “A sandy dirt or a loose, free-draining soil that's not high in clay is ideal.” 

Peach trees (Prunus persica) can be planted on a slight slope or in a raised bed for good drainage. “The trees are fairly quick to fruit, often within two or three years,” she adds. “The sweet-smelling pink flowers in spring attract bees and other pollinators.”

Ponderosa Lemon

Ponderosa lemons (Citrus limon 'Ponderosa') grow throughout the year and can be significantly larger than other varieties. The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, and they have a delicious, tangy sweetness.

However, these ornamental trees only need a moderate amount of moisture once established, and do best in well-drained soils. Therefore, it’s not ideal to try and grow ponderosa lemons in clay soil—unless you include significant organic amendments.

Plum

Plums (Prunus salicina) and other stone fruits thrive in sandier soil. “If the clay soil holds water for too long, it can cause them to be stunted and get root rot,” says Colleen Dieter, founder of ATX Gardens and co-host of the Horticulturati Podcast. 

However, if you have to grow stone fruit in clay soil, you can elevate the trees and plant them into mounds made from a good soil mix.

“The mix should be two parts clay or clay loam, two parts compost and one part gritty sand,” Dieter says. "I designed and installed an orchard with mounds about 24 inches tall at the apex and about 5 feet wide. The fruit trees we planted in the mounds grew much faster and made more fruit than the ones we planted directly into the clay."

Kishu Mandarin

Kishu mandarins are especially small, with a thin outer layer, and a sweet-yet-tart flavor.

While they thrive outdoors in zones 9 through 11, they can be grown in containers as far north as USDA zone 4—you'll just need to use a chunky potting mix with good drainage.

However, avoid planting these mandarins in clay soil. Instead, opt for a slightly acidic medium that will completely dry out between deep waterings.

Key Lime

Key limes (Citrus x aurantiifolia) are an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients such as iron, calcium, and potassium; a key lime pie made with your own fresh fruit provides an extra special thrill.

These citrus trees thrive in the ground in USDA zones 9 through 11 and do best in soil with a pH level between 6.1 and 7.8 that drains and dries well. Your key limes won’t perform well in clay, but should thrive if you choose to plant them in more sandy, loamy soil. 

Grapefruit

Whether you’re enjoying grapefruits (Citrus paradisi) plain or mixing them up in your favorite salad, they're a versatile fruit with a host of nutritional benefits. In addition to the delicious harvest it provides, a grapefruit tree is also an eye-pleasing evergreen that produces fragrant citrus blossoms.

This ornamental beauty will do best in well-draining soil with low to moderate moisture, and prefers sand or silt to keep its roots nice and dry. 

Cara Cara Orange

Cara cara oranges are less acidic and much sweeter than their traditional peers, so they're a favorite among professional chefs. These trees can thrive in containers from zones 4 through 10, but you’ll need to choose a fertile, slightly acidic soil—preferably with a layer of bark to speed up the draining process.

Avoid planting these orange trees in any type of clay soil, as they do best when they completely dry out between deep watering sessions.