What plants grow in volcanic soil?

Life After Fire: The Amazing Plants That Call Volcanic Soil Home

Volcanic eruptions – talk about a dramatic makeover for a landscape! They leave behind what looks like a totally barren wasteland. But guess what? From that very destruction, life finds a way. Volcanic soil, that stuff formed from the ash, lava, and debris volcanoes spit out, has some seriously unique qualities. Sure, it’s challenging for plants, but it can also create surprisingly fertile spots. Figuring out what makes this soil tick and how certain plants have adapted is a truly fascinating story of toughness and renewal.

Getting to Know Volcanic Soil

So, volcanic soils, often called Andisols by soil scientists, are basically the new kids on the block in the soil world. They’re made from volcanic leftovers i. You’ll find them in places with a history of volcanic activity. Think the Pacific Ring of Fire – Hawaii, Japan, the Pacific Northwest – but also Iceland, Italy, Indonesia, and parts of Central and South America i.

Now, fresh volcanic soil is a mixed bag. Here’s the lowdown:

• A Mineral Treasure Trove: Volcanic ash and lava are loaded with goodies plants need: phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, you name it ii. It’s like a multivitamin for plants, in a way.
• Super-Porous Structure: The way this soil is made, with volcanic glass and some weird-sounding minerals, creates tons of tiny holes. This makes the soil light, airy, and really well-drained ii. Roots love that because they can stretch out easily and get plenty of air.
• Surprisingly Good at Holding Water: Here’s a twist: even though it drains well, volcanic soil can also hold a lot of water ii. Those porous minerals act like tiny sponges.
• Can Be a Bit Acidic: Depending on the volcano and how old the soil is, it can be acidic, especially when it’s fresh ii.
• Light as a Feather (Almost): Volcanic soil isn’t dense, which makes it easier for roots to push through ii.

But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Volcanic soils have their downsides:

• Nutrient Imbalance Issues: It might be rich in some things, but volcanic soil can be lacking in others, mainly nitrogen. Sometimes phosphorus is missing too, especially in older soils ii. Plus, the phosphorus that is there can be hard for plants to grab ii.
• Toxicity Troubles: Fresh volcanic stuff can have toxic levels of things like aluminum ii.
• Unstable Ground: New volcanic landscapes are often shaky and prone to washing away ii.
• Missing the Good Stuff (Organic Matter): At first, volcanic soil has zero organic matter – that’s the stuff from decaying plants and animals that makes soil really hum ii.

The Originals: Pioneer Plants

The first plants to move into a volcanic zone are real pioneers. They’ve got special tricks to handle the tough conditions iii. They’re super important because they kickstart the whole process of turning a wasteland into a thriving ecosystem iii.

What’s their secret?

• Tough as Nails: They can handle high levels of minerals that would kill other plants iii.
• Nitrogen Ninjas: Some of the most important pioneers, like lupines, are nitrogen fixers iii. They team up with bacteria in their roots to pull nitrogen from the air and turn it into plant food. Pretty cool, huh?
• Efficient Eaters: Pioneer plants are good at grabbing every last bit of nutrients from the soil iii.
• Drought Dodgers: Volcanic areas can be dry, so these plants are often drought-tolerant. They might have ways to store water or leaves that don’t lose much moisture iii.
• Fast Growers, Big Seed Producers: They grow fast and make tons of seeds, so they can spread quickly iii.

Meet the Survivors: Plants That Love Volcanic Soil

There are plants all over the world that have adapted to volcanic soils. Here are a few examples:

• ‘Ōhi’a Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha): This Hawaiian tree is a champ at colonizing lava flows and helping forests grow back iii.
• Silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense): This amazing-looking plant is only found in Hawaii, growing high up on volcanoes like Haleakala iii.
• Lupines (Lupinus spp.): These nitrogen-fixing heroes pop up in volcanic areas from the Pacific Northwest to Iceland and New Zealand iii.
• Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium): After a volcanic eruption, you’ll often see fireweed with its bright pink or purple flowers. It’s a fast grower and doesn’t need much to thrive iii.
• Poppies (Papaver spp.): These tough flowers can be found in volcanic spots in Italy, Japan, and elsewhere. Their seeds can wait for years until the time is right to sprout iii.
• Lava Cress (Lepidium oleraceum): This New Zealand native is quick to colonize barren volcanic landscapes iii.
• Mountain Orchids: These orchids can grow in various climates and are seen from hills to the peaks of the Alps .
• Vinca (Catharanthus roseus): Native to tropical volcanic regions of Madagascar, Vinca thrives in dry, rocky soils and is known for its drought tolerance .
• Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.): These succulents are native to volcanic areas of Madagascar and other tropical volcanic islands and can store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, allowing them to thrive in dry volcanic soils .

Farming on Volcanoes? You Bet!

Over time, volcanic soils become fertile and valuable for farming iv. All those minerals and the good drainage make them great for growing all sorts of things iv.

• Coffee: Coffee plants are big fans of volcanic soil iv.
• Tea: Some of the best tea comes from the slopes of volcanoes like Kilimanjaro and in Java, Indonesia iv.
• Grapes: Wine lovers know that volcanic soils can produce amazing grapes, like in Sicily (Mount Etna), the Canary Islands, and Santorini, Greece iv. The wines often have a unique mineral flavor.
• Veggies: Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots do well in the loose volcanic subsoils iv.
• Fruits: Papayas and avocados in Hawaii, citrus fruits in other volcanic areas – they all benefit from the rich soil iv.
• Grains: Maize and other grains are also commonly grown in volcanic areas .

But to keep volcanic soils productive, we need to farm smart iv. That means:

• Switching Things Up (Crop Rotation): Rotating crops helps keep the soil from getting depleted and prevents pests iv.
• Covering Up (Cover Cropping): Planting cover crops protects the soil, improves its structure, and helps recycle nutrients iv.
• Adding the Good Stuff (Organic Amendments): Compost and manure improve water retention, add nutrients, and help the soil ecosystem iv.
• Feeding Plants Right (Balanced Fertilization): Using the right fertilizers keeps plants healthy without messing up the soil’s natural balance iv.

The Bottom Line

Volcanic soil is proof that life can bounce back, even after something as destructive as a volcanic eruption. It’s a reminder that even in the harshest conditions, nature finds a way to create and thrive. Understanding these soils and how to take care of them is key to keeping them productive and ecologically valuable for years to come.