From the perspective of a fuchsia plant, the soil pH is a fundamental factor that governs our very existence. It is not merely a number but the key that unlocks the door to the nutrients we desperately need from the soil. For us fuchsias, striking the right balance is the difference between vibrant health and a slow decline.
Our root systems are most comfortable and efficient in a soil environment with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. This is the sweet spot. In this range, the essential macro and micronutrients we require for building strong stems, lush foliage, and our iconic, pendulous flowers remain in a soluble, bioavailable form. This means our root hairs can easily absorb them and transport them throughout our vascular system. A pH within this range also supports the beneficial microbial life in the soil that helps break down organic matter into food we can use.
When the soil pH drops significantly below 6.0, it becomes too acidic for our liking. In this environment, certain elements, particularly manganese and aluminum, can become soluble to the point of toxicity. Our roots absorb these elements in excess, which can poison us from within, leading to stunted growth, malformed leaves, and dark, irregular spots on our foliage. Ironically, while some nutrients become too available, the crucial nutrients phosphorus and molybdenum become chemically locked up in the soil, making them inaccessible to our roots despite being present. We show signs of phosphorus deficiency, such as purplish tints on leaves and a general lack of vigor.
A soil pH above 7.0, leaning into alkalinity, is perhaps an even greater threat to our well-being. In alkaline conditions, the availability of most micronutrients we rely on—especially iron, manganese, zinc, and boron—plummets. Our most common and dramatic protest to high pH is iron chlorosis. This is where we are unable to produce sufficient chlorophyll, causing our new leaves to emerge a sickly yellow with contrasting green veins, while our overall growth is severely stunted. Without enough iron and manganese, our photosynthetic machinery breaks down, we cannot produce enough energy, and our flowering will be non-existent or pathetic.
We are not silent sufferers. We communicate our discomfort with the soil pH through clear visual signals on our leaves and overall stature. If our leaves are yellowing between the veins while the veins themselves stay green, we are likely pleading for more iron in a too-alkaline soil. If our growth is stunted and our leaves are dark green or purplish but we refuse to flower, the soil might be too acidic, locking away phosphorus. A general lack of turgor, wilting easily, and dropped buds are all signs that our root system is compromised and unable to access the nourishment it needs, often due to an improper pH balance.
